On the Sidelines of the 73rd Session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean: Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Highlights Bahrain’s Experience in Strengthening Vaccination and Disease Prevention Programmes
19/10/2026
Dr. Samia Bahram, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health at the Ministry of Health, affirmed the Kingdom of Bahrain’s commitment to continuously developing vaccination programmes and strengthening preventive services across all age groups. She highlighted the importance of expanding adult vaccination, particularly for older adults and people living with noncommunicable diseases, to reduce vaccine-preventable health complications, promote public health, and support healthy ageing.
Dr. Bahram made these remarks during a side event entitled “Advancing Adult Vaccination for Healthy Ageing and Noncommunicable Disease Prevention in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Leveraging Gulf Leadership to Accelerate Regional Action.” The event was organized by the Eastern Mediterranean Noncommunicable Diseases Alliance on the sidelines of the 73rd Session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean, with speakers from across the region.
Dr. Bahram presented Bahrain’s experience in developing vaccination programmes, noting that the Kingdom has maintained routine vaccination coverage rates exceeding 95% for nearly three decades and has remained polio-free since 1994. Bahrain has also maintained its measles and rubella elimination status since 2019.
She explained that the National Immunization Programme provides vaccinations throughout the life course as part of primary healthcare services, including chronic disease clinics, maternal healthcare services, and premarital screening. The programme also offers recommended vaccinations for travellers. In addition, mobile vaccination units help improve access to vaccines for different segments of society, including older adults, thereby strengthening disease prevention and promoting community health.
Dr. Bahram made these remarks during a side event entitled “Advancing Adult Vaccination for Healthy Ageing and Noncommunicable Disease Prevention in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Leveraging Gulf Leadership to Accelerate Regional Action.” The event was organized by the Eastern Mediterranean Noncommunicable Diseases Alliance on the sidelines of the 73rd Session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean, with speakers from across the region.
Dr. Bahram presented Bahrain’s experience in developing vaccination programmes, noting that the Kingdom has maintained routine vaccination coverage rates exceeding 95% for nearly three decades and has remained polio-free since 1994. Bahrain has also maintained its measles and rubella elimination status since 2019.
She explained that the National Immunization Programme provides vaccinations throughout the life course as part of primary healthcare services, including chronic disease clinics, maternal healthcare services, and premarital screening. The programme also offers recommended vaccinations for travellers. In addition, mobile vaccination units help improve access to vaccines for different segments of society, including older adults, thereby strengthening disease prevention and promoting community health.
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