Montenegro Closes Kindergartens to Unvaccinated Children

Montenegro is closing its kindergartens to unvaccinated children as the new school year approaches. Pediatricians are in high demand, with parents eager to secure vaccines for their children to enable them to attend kindergarten. Children can only be enrolled if a pediatrician issues a certificate stating they have been vaccinated regularly. Exceptions may be made based on the pediatrician's assessment, but a parent whose child has not been vaccinated without a valid reason will not be allowed to attend kindergarten. Regular inspections and high fines are planned for those who do not comply with the law. A public debate is expected in September, after which the Constitutional Court will decide whether requiring kindergarten attendance to be conditional on vaccination is constitutional.