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Vaccination of migrants and asylum seekers against the COVID-19 virus in centers in Serbia

Vaccination of migrants and asylum seekers accommodated in asylum and reception / transit centers, managed by the Commissariat for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia, has begun.

Today, the medical staff of the Institute for Public Health "Dr Milan Jovanović Batut" and the Health Center "Palilula" will vaccinate 67 beneficiaries of the Asylum Center in Krnjača who have applied for vaccination, and vaccination is also performed in other centers.

"UNHCR welcomes the efforts of the Republic of Serbia to ensure the inclusion of refugees and asylum seekers in the National Immunization Plan. Equal access to vaccines will protect lives and help curb the pandemic”, said Francesca Bonelli, head of the UNHCR Office in Serbia. Vaccination of refugees and asylum seekers in the centers is the result of intensive cooperation between the Commissariat for Refugees and Migration, the Ministry of Health, the Dr Milan Jovanovic Batut Institute of Public Health, UNHCR, the World Health Organization, UNDP and UNICEF, as well as other UN agencies and NGOs”.

Last week, several asylum seekers in private accommodation were vaccinated. UNHCR, the Danish Refugee Council and other NGO partners are helping them fill out applications. To date, more than 30 privately accommodated refugees and asylum seekers have applied and are now awaiting a call for vaccination.

"It is important that in the pandemic environment, everyone behaves responsibly towards themselves and others. Vaccination is a way to show that responsibility”, said Svetlana Velimirovic, Deputy Commissioner for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia.

Currently, 4,883 refugees, asylum seekers and migrants are accommodated in 18 asylum and reception / transit centers in Serbia.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the competent institutions in the Republic of Serbia have introduced strict preventive measures in asylum and reception / transit centers throughout the country. Thanks to joint efforts to prevent the spread of the virus and protect refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, only 32 of them have been infected with the coronavirus since March 2020.

UNHCR and other international organizations, institutions and donors assist the authorities by procuring basic health and hygiene accessories and protective equipment by providing logistical support to maintain a favorable situation and prevent the spread of the virus among this vulnerable population.