MOLDOVA

Moldova joined PIVI in 2015, and has committed to 130,000 doses from PIVI for the 2018-2019 flu season. The Ministry of Health has worked with PIVI to develop and implement a sustainability plan to achieve a country-sustained influenza vaccination program, and based on this has initiated their first country-purchase of influenza vaccine doses. They will be purchasing 30,000 doses from Sanofi for the 2018-2019 flu season, setting the foundation for a sustainable program.

With support from PIVI and the National Center for Public Health, Moldova administered a questionnaire on knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP Questionnaire) to 549 healthcare workers throughout 10 districts of the country. The questionnaire is adapted from the World Health Organization’s Regional Office for Europe (WHO EURO) guide, “Tailoring Influenza Programmes for Seasonal Influenza (TIP FLU).” The guide shows country program managers and policymakers how to utilize existing vaccination programs to promote seasonal influenza vaccination. WHO EURO supported translation of the KAP report. Moldova published a complete healthcare worker guide on the benefits of and recommendations for influenza vaccination.

Based on the findings from the WHO TIP FLU, which identified the need for influenza and influenza vaccination training/education, Moldova is planning 10 regional healthcare worker training workshops.

In late 2018, Moldova will also be undertaking disease burden analysis.