First time in FBiH: Health sector, judiciary and inspectorates at the same table on mandatory immunization

(Patria) - The Ministry of Health of the Zenica-Doboj Canton (ZDK) organized a round table yesterday in Zenica within the project "Raising Awareness on Immunization and Engagement of All Sectors", bringing together representatives of the health,
judicial and inspection systems, international organizations and domestic partners.

This is the first time in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina that the health sector, judiciary and inspectorates have sat together and discussed the improvement of mandatory immunization implementation, making this event a milestone in public health protection.

The Minister of Health of ZDK, Aida Salčinović, emphasized in her opening address that immunization is much more than a health issue:

"It is an obligation of institutions, the right of every child, and the responsibility of the entire society. Our goal is for parents to know that a vaccine means protection, and for us as a system to have the duty to provide that protection," said Salčinović.

Assistant Federal Minister of Health, Prim. Dr. Goran Čerkez, reminded that vaccines have saved hundreds of millions of lives in the past two centuries, and highlighted ZDK as an example of good practice in the Federation of BiH. He stated that thanks to the additional engagement of healthcare workers in the canton, immunization coverage in some local communities increased by up to 200 percent during the measles epidemic.

"It is the parents' obligation to protect their child through vaccination, because a child's right to health always stands above a parent's right to choose. Together, we can increase coverage and achieve collective protection," emphasized Čerkez.

The Head of the Epidemiology Department at the Institute for Health and Food Safety Zenica, Dr. Alis Kozica, reminded that an epidemic of measles was declared in ZDK last year, with tragic outcomes for two children.

Despite this, through strong joint efforts, in just one year, immunization coverage in many areas increased from 30 to over 90 percent.

The minister's advisor, Hana Busuladžić Kazić, emphasized that immunization is a legal obligation in the Federation of BiH, and parents who unjustifiably refuse to vaccinate their children can be sanctioned with misdemeanor fines ranging from 100 to 2,000 KM.

"A child's right to health protection is above any personal assessment by the parents. Our inspectorates regularly act and report cases of unjustified refusal of vaccination, thereby confirming that the law is not a dead letter,"

emphasized Busuladžić Kazić.

The judge of the European Court of Human Rights, Faris Vehabović, who joined via video link from Strasbourg and spoke about the court's practice in mandatory immunization cases, gave special significance to the gathering. His presentation highlighted that a child's right to health and vaccination is treated as a fundamental human right within the European legal framework.

International organizations, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the FAMI Foundation, added further strength to the gathering. WHO representative Dr. Stella Stojisavljević emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina is part of the global public health network and that the WHO stands with domestic institutions in increasing immunization coverage, providing expert and technical support.

Eldin Fišeković, representative of the FAMI Foundation, recalled the years-long commitment to strengthening the health system in BiH, and particularly the importance of supporting vaccination programs and local health teams.

FAMI is recognized as a reliable partner that continuously strengthens the system's capacities and enables the sustainability of public health projects.

The second part of the round table was dedicated to the exchange of expert experiences and views of the participants – representatives of the judiciary, inspectorates, health institutions, and international partners. The discussion focused on how to strengthen the implementation of legal provisions and increase immunization coverage through joint action.

At the end of the meeting, the next steps were agreed upon: intensified inspection supervision, continuous education of parents, timely availability of vaccines, and stronger coordination of all institutions in the field.

The Ministry of Health of ZDK hereby appeals to parents to fulfill their legal and moral obligation – vaccination means health and safety for their children and the entire society.