Immunization Initiative Kicks Off in Kazakhstan During European Immunization Week 2025
Vaccinate to Save Lives: Kazakhstan's EU Immunization Week
📸 Credit: ecdc.europa.eu
Welcome to the bustling city of Astana, where Kazakhstan is spotlighting the importance of vaccination during the European Immunization Week (EIW), running from April 27th to May 3rd. The theme for this year: "Immunization for All is Humanly Possible."
As we delve into this life-saving campaign, let's take a stroll down memory lane and appreciate the incredible strides Kazakhstan has made in controlling infectious diseases. Thanks to widespread immunization, polio has been eradicated since 1996, and diphtheria since 2009. The number of mumps cases has plummeted over a hundred times, hepatitis A by 32 times, hepatitis B by 92 times, and rubella by an astonishing 2,000 times!
Kazakhstan's national vaccination program now protects against 21 infections, and this week is all about reminding us that every dose makes a difference.
However, recent reports show that 75% of measles cases and 87% of whooping cough cases are happening among children who missed their routine vaccinations. Let's discuss why this trend is concerning and how Kazakhstan aims to tackle it.
The HPV vaccination for girls aged 11-13 was integrated into the national vaccination schedule in 2024. To date, approximately 133,169 girls have received their first dose, and 21,194 have completed both doses. The country's dedication to immunization is clear, and EIW is celebrated annually across the WHO European Region to emphasize the importance of high and equitable vaccination coverage in every community.
📊 Did you know? According to OECD standards, vaccination programs worldwide have significantly reduced diseases like measles and whooping cough by reaching high coverage rates [5]. However, oversights are evident.
A 2025 study revealed that less than half of people living with HIV in Kazakhstan received COVID-19 vaccines, a rate significantly lower than the general population [1]. This disparity underscores systemic challenges in vaccination equity that may extend to other immunization efforts.
Global barriers to routine immunizations can include vaccine safety concerns, limited parental support, and resource constraints [2][3]. To overcome these challenges, strengthening healthcare provider communication strategies and policy support could improve coverage, as recommended for HPV vaccination [2].
The country's reported COVID-19 vaccine disparities suggest similar vulnerabilities in routine pediatric vaccination programs, emphasizing the need for continued focus and attention [1][5]. Kazakhstan's promising research on veterinary vaccine efficacy, such as for cattle diseases, demonstrates innovation capacity that could empower human health initiatives [4].
As we celebrate EIW, let's strive to close the gap and ensure immunization for all is, indeed, humanly possible.
- Kazakhstan is highlighting the significance of vaccination during the European Immunization Week (EIW), emphasizing that "Immunization for All is Humanly Possible."
- Thanks to widespread immunization, Kazakhstan has eradicated polio since 1996 and diphtheria since 2009.
- The country's national vaccination program now protects against 21 infections, and this week aims to remind us that every dose makes a difference.
- Despite progress, 75% of measles cases and 87% of whooping cough cases are occurring among children who missed their routine vaccinations.
- The HPV vaccination for girls aged 11-13 was integrated into Kazakhstan's national vaccination schedule in 2024.
- According to OECD standards, vaccination programs worldwide have significantly reduced diseases like measles and whooping cough by reaching high coverage rates.
- A 2025 study revealed that less than half of people living with HIV in Kazakhstan received COVID-19 vaccines, a rate significantly lower than the general population.
- Global barriers to routine immunizations can include vaccine safety concerns, limited parental support, and resource constraints.
- To overcome these challenges, strengthening healthcare provider communication strategies and policy support could improve coverage, as recommended for HPV vaccination.
- Kazakhstan's reported COVID-19 vaccine disparities suggest similar vulnerabilities in routine pediatric vaccination programs, emphasizing the need for continued focus and attention.
