Moldova
We worked to increase demand and uptake of COVID-19 vaccinations among priority populations in the Republic of Moldova using social and behavior change approaches.
MOMENTUM is partnering with nearly 40 countries to accelerate progress and advance USAID’s work to save lives and improve health outcomes for women, children, families, and communities in all of their diversity. MOMENTUM brings together specialized technical and country expertise through six distinct yet integrated awards with the depth and breadth of experience to spur reductions in maternal, newborn, and child mortality and morbidity.
From May 2022 to April 2024, MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity worked with the Government of the Republic of Moldova and local organizations to increase vaccinations against COVID-19 in 12 districts. We also worked with Moldovan journalists to improve health reporting in the country.
Vaccinating Moldovans Against COVID-19
There are several reasons for low COVID-19 vaccination rates in Moldova, including a slow influx of vaccines, poor data tracking, turbulent politics, vaccine mis- and disinformation, and high numbers of refugees from Ukraine, all of which have put a strain on Moldova’s health system. Over the course of our work in Moldova, MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity developed a capacity-building course for health providers to strengthen their skills in recommending and providing COVID-19 vaccinations to priority populations and effectively responding to questions from their patients.
MOMENTUM also implemented social and behavior change strategies to increase demand for COVID-19 vaccination among priority populations in Moldova. This approach utilizes behavior integration and identifies and encourages behaviors that increase vaccination. MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity will share learnings from these activities in regional exchanges with select countries across Europe and Eurasia.
Partnering with Journalists to Improve Health Reporting
MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity partnered with Internews to train journalists on evidence-based health reporting. MOMENTUM also developed a comprehensive e-learning course, translated into several regional languages, to facilitate learning and provide storytelling guidance on routine vaccinations and COVID-19 vaccines.
MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity: Center for Health Policies and Studies (PAS Center), Internews, Ministry of Health, National Agency of Public Health, UNICEF, WHO
Interested in partnering with us or learning more about our work in Moldova? Contact us here or check out our Europe, Eurasia, and the Middle East Regional Brief.
Learn more about USAID’s work in Moldova.
References
- Juan, Christina. Fertility Preferences and Contraceptive Behaviors Among Ever-Married Women and Men: An Analysis of the 2017-18 Jordan Population and Family Health Survey. DHS Further Analysis Reports No. 139. Rockville, Maryland, USA: ICF. 2020.
Last updated February 2024.