Montenegro health officials address vaccine safety and preschool immunization challenges

Health authorities in Montenegro are addressing concerns regarding childhood vaccination and the implementation of new preschool regulations. Snežana Mugoša, director of the Institute for Medicines and Medical Devices (CInMED), affirmed that vaccines used in the country are high-quality, safe, and effective, undergoing rigorous control and continuous monitoring.

Simultaneously, the Institute of Public Health of Montenegro (IJZ) reported that over 3,100 MMR vaccine doses and 6,000 other mandatory vaccines were administered in the last month. The IJZ urged parents to catch up on missed doses due to rising measles risks in the region, citing cases in Bulgaria, Kosovo, Serbia, and Croatia.

However, the implementation of new laws allowing vaccinated children to attend both public and private kindergartens has faced challenges. Parents have reported confusion regarding documentation requirements and a lack of available vaccination appointments, leading to chaotic situations where some facilities have reportedly attempted to separate unvaccinated children into different classrooms.