Protecting Ukraine's future through vaccination - resilience amid war, maintaining lifesaving protection from deadly diseases

By Dr. Jarno Habicht, WHO Representative in Ukraine and Munir Mammadzade, UNICEF Representative to Ukraine.

Today, children and their families across Ukraine woke up to yet another day of life in wartime. Their protection and wellbeing continue to be at risk, as we mark the fourth World Immunization Week since the beginning of full-scale war.

But there is at least a dose of some more positive news.

Despite attacks affecting healthcare facilities, healthcare workers, civilian and energy infrastructure, thanks to the extraordinary dedication of medical professionals, Ukraine has maintained stable routine childhood immunization coverage.

While the situation is not ideal and we observe inequalities, the efforts have ensured between 82 and 86 per cent of coverage for children who have received critical vaccines, such as polio, diphtheria, pertussis, measles, and tetanus.

What does this mean?

Optimal coverage, to reduce the likelihood of community transmission, is 95 per cent of children immunized according to the National Immunisation Schedule. Working with the Ministry of Health and our Oblast and Hromada level partners, we must continue to strive towards achieving just that. This is not just a number; by hitting this target, we save young lives from vaccine-preventable diseases and give every child the best start in life.

It can be done.

Ukraine’s brave healthcare professionals have adapted rapidly, ensuring that vaccines reach communities in need. Furthermore, in past years, particular efforts have been made to ensure the vaccination of internally displaced persons.

The 2023 polio outbreak was successfully stopped in its tracks. The strengthening of the cold chain system, along with supplementary immunization activities against polio, as well as measles, pertussis, tetanus, and diphtheria over the past few years, has demonstrated the resilience of Ukraine's health system, even under the most demanding circumstances.

WHO and UNICEF continue to support these efforts, through cold chain management, procuring the latest equipment, training healthcare workers, outreach activities and sensitizing parents and caregivers on the critical need to keep their children’s immunizations up to date.

Thanks to joint efforts, the Ministry of Health has ensured that the ‘Fragility Support’ Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance program is now approved, and Ukraine will receive essential vaccines through 2025, ensuring no stockouts for routine immunization.

But war is not the only threat to vaccination.

The European region recorded more than 127,000 measles cases in 2024, the highest number since 1997. In Ukraine, despite the heroic work, measles cases have still increased six-fold to 333, while pertussis cases have surged dramatically from 549 to 7,228. This needs our attention now.

These are not isolated numbers. They are a reminder that when coverage is not optimal, entire communities are vulnerable.

To achieve collective protection, at least 95 per cent of children must be vaccinated with all age-appropriate vaccines. This target is identified in the National Immunization Strategy. In parallel,  no fewer than 80% of adults should receive timely booster shots against tetanus and diphtheria.

Furthermore, when a child is left unprotected, the risks extend beyond health—impacting learning, development, and future potential.

Vaccine hesitancy, often fueled by mistrust and misinformation, threatens to further derail immunization efforts.

We are listening to families’ concerns so that we can provide clear, tailored, and accurate information to reassure parents and caregivers of the safety and efficacy of vaccinations. At the same time, working with all partners we must ensure that vaccines are accessible for all.

To do that, we need sustained investment, coordinated efforts, and most importantly, a shared recognition that every child—everywhere—has the right to be protected.

The reality is that vaccination is one of the most powerful and cost-effective public health tools we have, saving an estimated 3.5 to 5 million lives globally every year.

It also makes economic sense and contributes to health security.

Protection and prevention of the spread of disease is far cheaper than treatment and the potential long-term health effects that can impact learning, development and future economic output in adulthood.

Ukraine – no country – can afford that today.