Ukraine continues to respond to measles outbreaks in a number of regions, with close to 1000 cases reported in the first 5 months of 2026.
WHO is supporting an outreach vaccination campaign in Ukraine to ensure that more children receive life-saving immunization services, including measles vaccination. Through mobile medical teams, the campaign brings vaccines closer to hard-to-reach communities where access to health care is limited.
From 1 January 2026, Ukraine introduced changes to its National Immunization Schedule, moving the second dose of the measles-containing vaccine (MCV2) from 6 to 4 years of age (the first dose is at 12 months and the second is at 4 years). This modification allows for immunization with both doses of the vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), as recommended by WHO for full protection at an earlier age.
Having made this modification, the health system will extend services to provide a second dose to 3 birth cohorts this year, making sure that those older than 4 do not miss out. The outreach activities prioritize vaccination of the newly eligible children while also checking the status of immunization and providing catch-up immunization for those who have missed routine vaccinations, according to the National Immunization Schedule
“We came to get vaccinated, so that I won’t have to worry about my children’s health in the future,” said Anastasia, a mother of 2 children, from Radisne village in the Odesa Oblast, who came to a mobile unit that visited the village.
Improved access to the immunization services
Mobile vaccination teams have visited communities in 15 oblasts, helping families overcome hurdles, such as distance to health facilities and disrupted services.
In addition to administering vaccines and raising awareness of risks associated with vaccine-preventable diseases (i.e. severe complications, disability and death) and the importance of immunization, health workers provide consultations to parents and caregivers and conduct basic medical check-ups, including measuring blood sugar and blood pressure and testing for viral hepatitis.
“Not everyone in our region has the same access to vaccination services as people living in the city. Such visits encourage residents of remote rural areas to prioritize vaccination. Thanks to these outreach activities, we haven’t had any outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases since the beginning of the year,” says Olha Balanovska, epidemiologist in the Odesa Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Expanding the campaign’s geographic reach
The first round of outreach vaccination took place in late 2025 at the request of the Ukrainian Ministry of Health, supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. The initial phase covered communities across 8 regions and saw some 975 measles vaccinations administered.
Based on this success, in May and June 2026, WHO, together with national and local health authorities, launched a second round of outreach vaccination, significantly expanding geographical coverage.
“WHO works closely with the Government of Ukraine in maintaining immunization services and strengthening vaccine uptake, with particular attention to children and other risk groups. Thanks to the support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, outreach vaccination activities became an important part of these efforts, ensuring that every child has an opportunity to receive essential protection from infections,” said Dr Jarno Habicht, WHO Representative to Ukraine.
By the end of June this summer, mobile teams had worked in 15 regions, conducting 228 outreach sessions and vaccinating 3193 children against measles. Overall, across the 2 project phases in 2025 and 2026, medical teams conducted 347 outreach visits, administering 4168 measles vaccines and 18 674 routine vaccine doses.