Serbia
We worked to increase demand and uptake of COVID-19 vaccinations among priority populations in Serbia 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 June 2022 to December 2023, MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity worked with the Government of Serbia and local organizations to increase vaccinations against COVID-19. We also worked with Serbian journalists to improve health reporting in the country.
Vaccinating Serbians Against COVID-19
To bolster COVID-19 immunization rates among priority populations in Serbia, MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity focused on building the capacity of health professionals and increasing community engagement within the country. As part of this work, MOMENTUM developed a Continuing Medical Education course for health providers to strengthen their knowledge about COVID-19 vaccination and quality client service in order to effectively respond to questions from their patients. MOMENTUM also engaged local community organizations to encourage COVID-19 vaccination among priority populations within the country.
MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity also engaged with unvaccinated populations, health workers, and professional associations in Serbia to overcome COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and increase demand for the vaccine. These efforts helped generate demand among health workers and equip them with the information, knowledge, and resources they needed to effectively address vaccine hesitancy with their clients.
MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity also collaborated with USAID/Serbia to establish a COVID-19 scientific advisory group, comprising professionals from the University of Belgrade Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, and Faculty of Philosophy.
MOMENTUM will apply learnings from these activities to its work across Europe and Eurasia.
Partnering with Journalists to Improve Health Reporting
MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity partnered with Internews to train Serbian journalists on evidence-based health reporting. MOMENTUM 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: Serbian Ministry of Health; National Alliance for Local Economic Development (NALED); Internews
Interested in partnering with us or learning more about our work in Serbia? Contact us here or check out our Europe, Eurasia, and the Middle East Regional Brief.
Learn more about USAID’s work in Serbia.
Last updated February 2024.