Summary

As of 22 August 2022, the total number of COVID-19 vaccines delivered to Syria through the COVAX Facility is 11 357 640 doses in addition to the 2 953 640 doses received through bilateral agreements. The available vaccines should enable Syria to reach more than 45% of its population.

Trends in COVID-19 vaccination coverage at the Whole of Syria level

Within its relentless efforts to raise COVID-19 vaccination coverage in Syria, the Ministry of Health recently conducted 2 intensified national COVID-19 vaccination campaigns targeting all people above 18 years of age in all Syrian governorates, encouraging people to take their vaccines and get better protection.

The 2 rounds of the campaign reached 182 000 and 165 000 people, respectively. The intensified risk communication and community engagement activities, prior to and during the campaign, increased people’s access to vaccines and encouraged communities to protect themselves.

WHO cooperated with health directorates in the governorates of Damascus, Lattakia, Homs, Hama, and Aleppo to train more than 300 volunteers on communication skills to mitigate vaccine hesitancy and raise vaccine uptake. The volunteers included nongovernmental organizations, community initiatives, religious leaders, as well as health personnel from the Directorates of Health. During the 2 campaigns, volunteers worked in parallel with vaccination teams to address fears, combat rumours and deliver adequate messages.

Challenges