Abu Yassin spends time with his grandchildren at their tent in Idlib. Photo credit: WHO
15 December 2025, Idlib, Syrian Arab Republic – In a tent not far from a busy vaccination point in Idlib, nurse Amal moves among parents with the steady assurance of someone who has spent years rebuilding trust in immunization. A mother of four, she begins every conversation from a place of lived experience. “In times like these, vaccines are the protection we can rely on,” she says.
Across Syria, routine immunization has faced the compounded effects of disrupted services, displacement and rising needs. Health workers like Amal, supported through outreach and mobile teams, continue to bridge these gaps by meeting families where they are and creating space for questions, clarity and reassurance.
“Some parents were unsure at first,” she recalls. “But when we visited homes and explained the diseases we are trying to prevent, things changed. People want to protect their children — they just need information they trust.”
Her work forms part of the Ministry of Health–led Expanded Programme on Immunization, implemented with support from WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and health partners.
Abu Yassin holds his grandchild inside their tent before heading to the vaccination centre. Photo credit: WHO
Among the caregivers Amal sees regularly is Abu Yassin, a grandfather known in his neighbourhood for never missing an appointment. With his sons at work during clinic hours, he brings his four grandchildren himself — checking their cards, confirming their schedules and ensuring each dose is received on time.
“All my children were vaccinated,” he says. “Now I do the same for my grandchildren. I don’t delay — this is what keeps them safe.”
Abu Yassin helps his grandchild get ready for a routine vaccine dose at an immunization centre in Idlib. Photo credit: WHO
Over time, his steady routine has influenced others. Neighbours who had hesitated began watching him, asking questions, and in many cases choosing vaccination after seeing his example. “I talk to anyone who asks,” he says simply. “Every child deserves this protection.”
For Amal, the change is visible every day. “Parents mention him. They say, ‘If he makes sure every dose is on time, so should we.’ His consistency helped rebuild confidence.”
A gentle moment between Abu Yassin and his grandchild reflects the responsibility he feels to protect their future through timely vaccination. Photo credit: WHO
The determination of families like Abu Yassin’s comes at a time when Syria is making significant progress in routine immunization. Throughout 2025, the Ministry of Health — with support from WHO, UNICEF, health partners and vaccines funded through Gavi, the Vaccine Aliance — has led a series of nationwide efforts to reach every child, no matter their location.
In October, a nationwide Big Catch-Up and measles drive brought vaccines to 1.7 million children under five and ensured over 270,000 children received their doses across all areas of the country, including in southern and northeast regions where access has historically been challenging. The momentum continued into November, when vaccination teams reached around 428,000 children with measles and rubella vaccines in Idlib, Aleppo, Raqqa and Tal Abyad — a reminder of how quickly trust grows when communities see services returning consistently. Earlier in the year, during World Immunization Week, WHO supported the vaccination of 3.4 million children, giving new strength to routine services that protect families from preventable diseases.
These collective efforts are beginning to rebuild a sense of continuity in immunization across Syria — a system where every appointment kept by a caregiver, every mobile team deployed and every clinic that opens its doors helps ensure that children are protected regardless of where they live or what challenges their families face. This is particularly critical at a time when so many Syrians are on the move – returning from abroad or from displacement within the country.
For Amal, the message she shares with every parent is grounded in both professional experience and motherhood. “In crowded settings and difficult living conditions, diseases can spread quickly,” she says. “Vaccines give children a fair chance at a healthier future. Please don’t delay — every dose matters.”
While the children’s parents are at work, Abu Yassin brings his grandchildren for every scheduled dose — a routine that has strengthened community confidence in vaccines. Photo credit: WHO
From Amal’s careful explanations to Abu Yassin’s steady walk to each appointment, Syria’s immunization progress is driven by the choices families make every day.
