BREAKING NEWS: More Than Half of Adult Refugees In Jordan Now Vaccinated Against COVID-19, Thanks To New Vaccine Centers

Over 90 percent of adults in Syrian refugee camps in Jordan have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, due to new vaccination centers.

Over 74 percent of adult refugees are fully vaccinated in Azraq Refugee Camp—located in northern Jordan and created after the Syrian Civil War in 2014—according to the National Centre for Security and Crisis Management (NCSCM) as issued in a statement this week by the United National High Commissioner of Refugees (UNHCR).

“Over the last few months, we have seen significant progress in facilitating refugee vaccinations in Jordan,” said Dominik Bartsch, UNHCR Jordan Representative. “Amid the current spike of COVID cases in Jordan, it is reassuring that refugee communities remain committed to getting vaccinated.” 

Awareness of Jordan’s national vaccination program among refugees has substantially increased since the launch of new clinics in October. Registrations for the vaccine rose by 500 percent between January and December 2021, accounting for almost 96 percent of the Jordan refugee population, according to surveys performed by UNHCR.

The vaccination clinics are located in three registration centers close to the majority of Jordan’s refugee population—in the capital city of Amman and in the northern regions of the country. Za’atari Refugee Camp, closest to a clinic in Mafraq, is the largest camp for Syrian refugees in the world with more than 80,900 residents as of January 2022, according to UNHCR. The centers provide in-person access to doctors and nurses who are available to answer questions and concerns.

Many women are concerned about the impact vaccines may have on fertility. Others worry it will affect the growth of their children who are eligible for the vaccine. Having direct access to local healthcare workers and volunteers has helped counter misinformation. Refugee community volunteers help run the clinics and encourage fellow refugees to get vaccinated.

“The presence of vaccination centers in our communities has had a positive impact on the number of refugees getting vaccinated. It makes it much easier for refugees, like me, to get vaccinated close to home in a safe and welcoming environment,” said Hajj, a Sudanese refugee community volunteer at the Nuzha Community Centre. 

UNHCR has recently commended the Jordanian government for actively addressing and including its refugees in its response efforts since the beginning of COVID-19.