Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a condition that affects all aspects of life, and thus is closely related to the quality of life itself. Dealing with it during the COVID-19 pandemic is a big challenge. A case–control study conducted in Montenegro at the end of 2021 included 87 elementary school students with T1D and 248 of their peers as controls matched by gender. Standardized questionnaires were distributed to participants (Peds-QL Generic core 4.0 questionnaire for all participants and Peds-QL Diabetes Module 3.2 only for cases). Based on them, the results of obtained scores were measured and compared using non-parametric statistical methods in relation to gender, region and type of household. Children with T1D reported lower quality of life comparing to matching controls with lower scores in almost all domains. Differences in the same domains among patients and their classmates were also observed in the different gender subgroups, environment type subgroups and in the central region. Results of the study provide insights to prioritizing actions for children with diabetes care as well as for public healthcare planning.

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Introduction: The Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 dominated Montenegro from July 2020 until early 2022, when Omicron took over. COVID-19 vaccination began on 20 February 2021, two months later than in the EU. The study aimed to investigate the impact of vaccination on mortality rates in Montenegro during Delta’s predominance. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted using data from the Montenegrin Institute of Public Health COVID-19 database, the Population Electronic Immunization Register, which provides data for all administrated COVID-19 vaccines in Montenegro, and EUROSTAT mortality data. Results: COVID-19 accounted for 17.8% of total deaths in Montenegro during the period of study. Crude mortality rate among unvaccinated was almost four times higher compared to those who received at least one vaccine dose. Inactivated vaccines were predominantly administered to those aged 60 and over, while RNA vaccines were mainly given to those under 60. The median interval between the last vaccine dose and death was significantly higher for vector vaccines compared to inactivated vaccines. Discussion: The delayed start of vaccination and limited vaccine choices in Montenegro likely contributed to prolonged high mortality due to COVID-19. Our findings reveal disparities in vaccine distribution and effectiveness, highlighting the need for timely and equitable access to effective vaccines, especially for vulnerable populations. Conclusions: The study underscores the importance of prompt vaccine distribution and the option to choose vaccine types in building public trust and reducing mortality rates. It emphasizes the need for strengthening global mechanisms COVAX and continuing educational activities to address vaccine hesitancy and ensure equitable access to effective vaccines.

Introduction/Objective: Introducing 2-dose schedules of MMR vaccination in many European countries has reduced the incidence of mumps by 97-99%. However, despite the decline of incidence in all parts of the world, outbreaks of mumps are occurring. The objective of this descriptive study was to analyze the occurrence of mumps and coverage of the first dose of MMR vaccine in Montenegro during the period from 2009 to 2018. Methods: Data on the number of new patients, taken from the annual reports of the Institute of Public Health of Montenegro on the movement of infectious diseases, were used to analyze the incidence of mumps in the territory of Montenegro from 2009 to 2018, and to estimate the coverage of the first dose of MMR vaccine data were taken from annual immunization reports in Montenegro and from the electronic immunization registry. Results: In Montenegro, between 2009 and 2018, a total of 256 cases of mumps were registered, of which 63% were males and there were no fatalities. The standardized incidence rate of mumps (standardized by world population) was higher for men than women, and ranged from 0 (2018) to 12.4 per 100,000 men (2012) and from 0.2 (2015-2018) to 7.6 per 100,000 women (2012). In both sexes and in the general population, the lowest average values of age-specific incidence rates were observed in the ages up to 4 years of age and in the over 30s. The largest number of cases of mumps was registered in April and July. The lowest coverage with the first dose of MMR vaccine of only 42.1% was recorded in 2018. Conclusion: It is necessary to increase and maintain the the level of MMR vaccine coverage among all persons who have to be vaccinated. It is also necessary to expand educational work on health-care among the general population, especially among parents, in order to advance the knowledge about the importance of vaccination and the potential dangers that vaccine-preventable diseases carry with them, in order to restore the high level of trust that the anti-vaccine lobby has eroded.