During the discussion, she noted that according to the vaccination schedule, newborns receive their first vaccine in the maternity hospital within 24 hours after birth, and then undergo primary level vaccinations until they reach one year of age. "The vaccination rate in maternity hospitals is over 90%, with 145,000 children vaccinated annually; however, many parents refuse vaccinations at 2.5 and 5 months," Ishenapysova explained.
She also spoke about previous efforts made in collaboration with the Cabinet of Ministers, DUMK, and local authorities, which resulted in the adoption of a resolution on the importance of vaccination. While previously 78% of parents refused vaccinations for religious reasons, this figure has now decreased to 43%. Nevertheless, among young parents, there is a growing distrust of vaccines: the level of doubt has risen from 20% to 40% due to the spread of misinformation on social media.
According to data, in 2024, 19,000 people refused vaccination, and in 2025 this number decreased to 15,000 thanks to targeted work with imams, she noted.
As a result of surveys, young parents expressed the opinion that only one fatwa on the benefits of vaccination had been issued, and they demand fatwas for each of the 13 vaccines. Active work is being carried out in this direction with the DUMK and the National Committee on Religion, the director emphasized.
She also noted that vaccine supplies are timely and their quantity is sufficient for vaccination.
- Note: A fatwa is a theological-legal opinion issued by a mufti or Islamic scholar on a specific issue based on the Quran, Sunnah, and Sharia.
