Vaccination Caravans: Brining Information and Vaccination Closer to Communities

Vaccines are one of the most cost effective and successful public health interventions for our generations. For every dollar that we spend on immunization programmes we receive 45 dollars return in social and economic benefits.

Recognizing this, WHO and Kosovo public health authorities have been running vaccination caravan during December 2022-January 2023 to provide both accurate information about vaccines and to bring life-saving vaccines closer to people.  “The caravan has been a great success, with more than 400 people vaccinated against seasonal influenza and COVID-19. More than 2,000 people received up-to-date information on COVID-19 prevention and control measures,” said Oleksandr Martynenko, Head of WHO office in Pristina. The caravan visited Pristina, Gjilan/Gnjilane, Gjakova/Đakovica, Prizren, Peja/Peć, Mitrovica south, Fushe Kosove/Kosovo polje, Obiliq/ć, Vushtrri/Vučitrn, in total 29 Municipalities.

“We provided trusted vaccines. We digitized registration and appointments. People came to the vaccination centers. With the vaccination caravan, we came to you at your areas to inform you that vaccines are crucial to save lives and we offered you vaccination against COVID-19 and seasonal flu”, said Dr Dafina Gexha-Bunjaku, Deputy Minister of Health.

The Vaccination Caravan is part of an overall WHO effort to protect health and well-being of the people in the Western Balkans region. WHO and Kosovo health authorities have been working hand-in-hand to raise awareness of the importance of vaccination, to convey messages how vaccines reduce the risks posed by such diseases as influenza and COVID-19. “The focus was working with people and for people, said Dr Isme Humolli from WHO office in Pristina. It is also an important part of the WHO and its Balkan Hub’s work to strengthen the resilience of Kosovo health systems, enhance its emergency preparedness and response capacity.