Strengthening Iran’s immunization system against cross-border threats in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

Abstract Immunization remains a global health priority, while significant disparities in vaccination coverage persist across the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). Although some countries have achieved near-universal coverage, others face considerable challenges. We provided the current vaccination landscape in the EMR to highlight specific threats, as well as policy recommendations for Iran. Iran has maintained a robust national vaccination program with consistently high coverage. However, the country faces threats from both low vaccination rates in neighboring nations and an internal gap in coverage among non-Iranian populations. These challenges can be increased by population movements and vaccine misinformation. Proactive, multi-pronged strategies, like border surveillance and equitable vaccine access are important measures for Iran to protect its public health achievements.