In Ukraine, children without mandatory vaccinations may be banned from attending schools and kindergartens
The issue of mandatory preventive vaccinations traditionally remains a sensitive topic in Ukrainian society. Although the importance of vaccination to protect children’s health is recognized by both experts and most parents, the new government draft law, which provides for the restriction of attendance at schools and kindergartens for unvaccinated children, has caused a wide debate. The proposed regulations have become a cause for concern among a part of the parent community, because they provide for the actual removal of children from full-time education, and teachers from work. The society’s reaction was mixed: some consider increased control a justified security measure, others see the risks of violating the rights of families to choose the form of education and medical decisions in the innovations.
The new government draft law No. 13367 “On the protection of the population from infectious diseases”, which was published on site of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, provides for the restriction of attendance at schools and kindergartens for children who do not have mandatory preventive vaccinations. According to its provisions, children without mandatory vaccinations may lose the right to attend not only state, but also private schools, kindergartens, vocational education institutions, and universities.
“Persons without existing medical contraindications, who have not received mandatory preventive vaccinations according to the vaccination calendar, are not allowed to stay in children’s rehabilitation and recreation facilities, as well as visit educational institutions.” – the document says.
The same rule will apply to education workers. Teachers, educators, as well as technical staff, who have not completed the full course of vaccination, will not have the right to be on the territory of the educational institution.
At the same time, alternative forms of education remain available for children who do not have vaccinations. It can be part-time study, distance form, network or individual educational program. The final decision in each specific case will be made by the institution’s administration on the basis of a certificate from the medical institution or a corresponding statement from the parents. Persons working in educational institutions who have not met the vaccination requirements may be suspended without pay until the required vaccinations are completed.
Medical professionals should definitely offer parents or adult patients to undergo vaccination. In case of refusal, they must receive the refusal in writing. If the parents or an adult patient do not want to sign such a statement, the doctor must draw up an act of refusal in the presence of witnesses.
The document does not provide for the introduction of direct penalties against parents, however, the actual refusal of vaccination will lead to limiting the child’s access to the usual form of education in the team, as well as to participation in extracurricular activities.
The government explains the need to adopt such changes in the legislation due to the epidemiological situation in the country. According to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the level of mandatory routine vaccination coverage in the country is still lower than recommended by the World Health Organization. In recent years, outbreaks of measles, poliomyelitis and diphtheria have been recorded in Ukraine. This is what forced the government to increase responsibility for refusing vaccination. The draft law aims to protect collective immunity, especially considering the realities of wartime, when the risks of epidemics are increasing.
If this document is approved, educational institutions will have a clear mechanism for monitoring compliance with vaccination requirements. At the same time, parents will have a choice: to adhere to the calendar of mandatory vaccinations or to transfer the child to one of the alternative forms of education.
