Armenia launches phased chickenpox immunization program

PanARMENIAN.Net - On January 31, Armenia launched the chickenpox vaccination program, implementing it in phases, according to the Ministry of Health.

Primary healthcare facilities across the country are now equipped with a World Health Organization (WHO)-prequalified chickenpox vaccine.

In the first phase, vaccinations will be administered to children born after November 1, 2023, who have reached 12 months of age and have neither a documented chickenpox vaccination record nor a history of the disease.

Authorities emphasize that chickenpox can be effectively prevented with a safe and reliable vaccine.

The vaccination campaign was initially planned for 2022 but was delayed due to the healthcare system’s overload from COVID-19. Starting in 2027, chickenpox immunization will be integrated into the national schedule, with the first dose administered at one year old and a second dose at ages four to six. Armenia has experienced periodic chickenpox outbreaks, with the most recent large-scale outbreak recorded in 2022.