Screening for infectious diseases and vaccination status in Ukrainian paediatric refugees: a retrospective…

Cohort studyEuropean journal of pediatrics· Jul 2026

Screening for infectious diseases and vaccination status in Ukrainian paediatric refugees: a retrospective cohort study.

Nina Vaezipour, Sarah Depallens, Noémie Wagner … Nicole Ritz

Infectious DiseaseCohort studyClinical practiceQ1IF 3.2

Nearly all Ukrainian paediatric refugees completed catch-up vaccination after arriving in Switzerland.

Screening for infectious diseases and vaccination status in Ukrainian paediatric refugees: a retrospective cohort study.

Nina Vaezipour … Nicole Ritz

European journal of pediatrics · Jul 2026

Background

Paediatric refugees face heightened health risks.

Purpose

The aim of the study was to assess health-care data and guideline adherence regarding paediatric Ukrainian refugees.

Methods

Of 517 children enrolled, test positivity rates were 2.7% (2/74) for HIV, 1.6% (2/125) for hepatitis B, 0.7% (2/307) for hepatitis C, and 1.0% (3/308) for tuberculosis screening.

n = 517 children

Results

98%

nearly all refugee children received their missing childhood vaccines after arriving in Switzerland

n = 517 children

More results

At the same time, lack of real-world data hampers the development of evidence-based guidelines for their health care providers.

A high rate of refusal of HIV screening was observed, substantially reducing the intention-to-test rate (0.38-1.25%).

More results

Age-appropriate vaccination status was documented in 71-82% of children for measles-mumps-rubella, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, poliomyelitis, and Haemophilus influenzae type b.

Main reason for incomplete vaccination status was vaccine hesitancy.

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Conclusion · 1 of 3

Our findings highlight challenges in the uptake of recommended infectious disease screening among paediatric refugees, underscoring the need for targeted and culturally sensitive screening strategies.

Conclusion · 2 of 3

The observed positivity rates provide important data to refine current screening recommendations.

Conclusion · 3 of 3

Moreover, the marked improvement in vaccination coverage after counselling highlights the effectiveness of addressing vaccine hesitancy in refugee populations.

Screening for infectious diseases and vaccination status in Ukrainian paediatric refugees: a retrospective cohort study.

Screening for infectious diseases and vaccination status in Ukrainian paediatric refugees: a retrospective cohort study.

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