GIS publishes preliminary data after verifying over 7.3 million vaccination cards in Poland.
Massive Vaccination Card Control
Between April and July 2025, staff from 318 county and 16 provincial stations, aided by vaccination points, reviewed over 7.3 million vaccination cards. The results are preliminary, excluding 500,000 cards still under verification, meaning final vaccination rates could be higher.
Child Vaccination Rates High
Initial findings show very high vaccination levels in children’s first five years. Grzesiowski stated national coverage for mandatory vaccines averages 89-95%. Approximately 5-10% of each birth cohort are unvaccinated, with an estimated 4-5% due to parental refusal; the rest for medical reasons. GIS notes this percentage is consistent yearly.
Debunking Anti-Vaccine Claims
Grzesiowski countered anti-vaccination propaganda suggesting rising refusal rates and Polish opposition to vaccines. “This is absolutely untrue,” he stated, citing confirmed data. He estimated 10-15,000 unvaccinated children annually (from ~250-300,000 births) due to parental refusal, totaling ~200,000 unvaccinated children aged 0-18 over 18 cohorts. Children not receiving at least two vaccinations over a year past due were classified as “unexplained,” not unvaccinated.
Population Immunity and Risk Regions
Based on 18 birth cohorts, Poland maintains population immunity for 12 diseases covered by mandatory vaccines. However, vaccination rates in eastern regions (Podlasie, Lublin, Podkarpackie) are a few percentage points lower than the national average, particularly for measles, mumps, and rubella. Final rates may increase as verification continues.
System Weakness: Six-Year-Olds
The audit revealed lower vaccination coverage (~80-something percent) in six-year-olds compared to 14-year-olds (~90%). Six-year-olds require booster shots against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, and rubella. Grzesiowski emphasized the need for system interventions to ensure boosters are given during pre-school health checks.
Preliminary Vaccination Rates
Analysis shows national averages: TB 95% (age 1); Hepatitis B 93% (age 5); Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis 89% (age 5) and 92% (age 18); Polio 90% (age 5) and 92% (age 18); Hib 89% (age 5) and 93% (age 18); Pneumococcal 89% (age 5); Rotavirus 88% (age 2); Measles/Mumps/Rubella 93% (age 5) and 90% (age 18).
2024 NIK Audit Findings
A 2024 NIK audit revealed problems enforcing child vaccination controls. Audited entities lacked precise data on individuals who should be vaccinated, who were vaccinated, and refusals. The 2021-2023 audit covered GIS, ten PSSE, and twenty primary care facilities in Łódzkie, Opolskie, Podkarpackie, Pomorskie, and Warmińsko-Mazurskie voivodeships.
