Vaccine against meningococcal infection to be introduced in Moldova

The vaccine against meningococcal infection will be gradually introduced in Moldova. It will be available on an optional basis and will be meant for children starting from the age of six months. This provision is included in the National Immunization Programme, which has been expanded and updated by the government today.

"Meningococcal disease is severe, with a rapid course and high mortality, which prompted the introduction of the vaccine to prevent this infection," said General Secretary of the Ministry of Health Lilia Gantea, at the government meeting.

At the same time, the document approved by the government today provides for the replacement of the pentavalent vaccine with the hexavalent vaccine (DTP-HepB-Hib-IPV), which will eliminate separate administration of the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) and the use of the bivalent oral vaccine (bOPV). Also, the authorities ruled to revise the HPV vaccination schedule, switching to a single dose for girls aged 9-14 and extending vaccination up to the age of 26 (with two doses).

According to the Ministry of Health, these changes will strengthen the protection of vulnerable groups – children, adolescents, women –, optimize costs, and enhance the efficiency of immunization services.

Estimates show that the approved measures will help prevent severe cases and avoidable deaths, generate savings of over 14.7 million lei during 2025-2027 by avoiding complications requiring long-term hospitalizations and treatments, and reduce pressure on the medical system, by preventing severe communicable diseases, such as meningococcal infection, poliomyelitis, cervical cancer, thereby reducing treatment and hospitalization costs.

The overall estimated cost for implementing the revised programme is 280.5 million lei for the period 2023-2027. Funding is provided from the state budget, the mandatory health insurances account and external sources, including WHO, UNICEF, and GAVI.