site.btaBulgaria Shows Progress in Childhood Vaccination - UNICEF and WHO Data

Bulgaria is showing promising signs of recovery in childhood immunization rates following the COVID-19 pandemic, placing it among the better-performing countries in the WHO European Region. While many nations continue to struggle to return to pre-COVID levels, new data released jointly Thursday by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF highlight Bulgaria’s upward trend in vaccination coverage.

According to the 2024 estimates, Bulgaria boasts some of the highest vaccination rates in the region. Particularly strong is the coverage for the six-in-one vaccine protecting against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), and polio. Uptake is also high for the combined measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Still, challenges remain. As UNICEF Bulgaria points out, “despite this progress, as in many other countries, coverage for the third dose of the six-in-one vaccine and the second dose of MMR remains below the 95% threshold needed to ensure herd immunity”.

UNICEF’s representative in Bulgaria, Christina de Bruin, emphasized the role of access to accurate information: “When parents are well-informed and supported, they prioritize their children's health. Vaccination is not just a right – it’s a life-saving shield for every child.”

Globally, 89% of infants received at least one dose of the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine in 2024, and 85% received the full three-dose series. This represents a modest increase compared to 2023, with 171,000 more children receiving at least one dose, and one million more fully immunized.

Encouraging progress is also noted with newer vaccines, including those for rotavirus, Hib, and pneumococcal infections.

In a significant move, Bulgaria’s Ministry of Health launched a national HPV vaccination programme on July 14. The initiative offers free immunization for girls aged 10 to under 15 and boys aged 10 to under 14. In the first 24 hours, nearly 150 children received the vaccine, which is administered by GPs, paediatricians, and gynaecologists.

Back in February, the Ministry reported improvements across the national immunization calendar compared to previous years. Coverage rates for newborns included 96.7% for tuberculosis and 97.6% for hepatitis B. For infants in their first year, 94.2% received the full course of the six-in-one vaccine, and 93.8% were immunized against pneumococcal infections. MMR vaccination coverage is also rising, with 94.2% of 13-month-olds receiving the first dose and 90.5% of 12-year-olds receiving the second.