Division for Immunization and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

Division for Immunization and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases , within the Department for Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases

Information about the activity performed in Division for Immunization and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

The department controls mandatory immunization at all levels and provides expert-methodological assistance through field inspections. During the field inspections, special attention is paid to the coverage of persons subject to immunization, timely implementation, storage and transportation of vaccines, maintenance of the cold chain, correct application of vaccines. In the field, the control of the submitted data on persons subject to vaccination is carried out by the competent services. The occurrence of post-vaccination adverse reactions is monitored, in order to monitor the safety of vaccines used in the Republic of North Macedonia.

Publications:

  1. weekly reports (AFP),
  2. monthly newsletters (AFP),
  3. current information and reports,
  4. annual reports (AFP, immunization, adverse reactions)

 

Measures and activities under the competence of the Division for Immunization and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

  1. Monitoring and control of the implementation of mandatory immunization in the country (according to the Vaccination Calendar), through regular reports and field/site controls of coverage, while providing expert methodological assistance (pointing out the omissions and proposing measures for their removal).
  2. Preparation of periodic information and an annual report on the implementation of mandatory immunization in North Macedonia with the achieved coverage and proposed measures to improve the coverage.
  3. Monitoring, research and reporting of reported adverse reactions after vaccination.
  4. Implementation of a media campaign on the benefits of immunization among the population at the national level.
  5. After receiving a report for an AFP case, a field inspection is made, during which an epidemiological survey is made, the vaccination status of the reported person and his close contacts is checked. Material for virological testing is obtained from the patient and his contacts, which is sent to the WHO Poliovirus Reference Laboratory in Sofia, Bulgaria.
  6. Organizing regional seminars for health professionals in order to present the current situation in RN. Macedonia and the goals foreseen by the updated Program.
  7. Processing of reports and epidemiological surveys for smallpox and/or rubella, data entry into a database and their analysis.
  8. Coordination and continuous monitoring of all activities at the regional and local level, conducting field inspections, proposing, and undertaking measures and activities.
  9. Continuous information on the trends of the movement of smallpox in our country and in the world, as well as recommendations and other written documents of the WHO, ECDC.
  10. Methodology design and implementation of a study on the seroprevalence of antibodies to measles, rubella and infectious mumps, in order to confirm the reported vaccination coverage, to determine gaps in vaccination, to detect susceptible groups.
  11. When there is a suspicion of an epidemic of a vaccine-preventable disease, an epidemiological inspection is carried out in the field and information is prepared with recommendations and proposed measures, weekly and/or monthly reports are prepared, according to the assessment.
  12. Organizing a campaign at the state level to raise awareness of parents about the safety and benefits of vaccines.
  13. Organizing educational workshops with health professionals to present news and refresh knowledge, workshops for developing communication skills with parents.

Contact information

Contact person: Head of division: spec. Kristina Stavridis, MD, epidemiologist

Contact phone:  +389 2 3125 044 ext. 04

Email:  ijz.epidemiologija@gmail.com

Working hours: Every working day: from 07:30 to 15:30

Contact person: Specialist epidemiologist in the division – MD, Katerina Kjirkovikj Kolevska

Email: ijz.epidemiologija@gmail.com

Working hours: Every working day: from 07:30 to 15:30