Croatia and Montenegro confront low MMR vaccination coverage and kindergarten entry mandates

In Zadar County, Croatia, the share of children vaccinated with the measles‑mumps‑rubella (MMR) vaccine is reported at only 75.7 %. SDP councilor Loreta Stipčević warned the city of Zadar to provide reliable information on the importance of vaccination and called for health authorities to lead the discussion.

In Montenegro, a public debate scheduled for September will examine the constitutionality of a law that bars children from enrolling in kindergartens unless they have received the MMR vaccine. Health experts stress that the MMR vaccine is safe and effective, while parents are split between supporting mandatory vaccination and expressing concerns about side‑effects. Epidemiologist Marija Božović urged families to rely on scientific evidence. The region already has similar regulations, and most European countries achieve vaccination rates above 90 %.