20
April 2012, New Delhi: Countries will
observe the first World Immunization Week globally starting from 21 April 2012.
However, in the South-East Asia Region, WHO has declared 2012 as the Year of
Intensification of Routine Immunization. The South-East Asia Region has
decided to adopt a more aggressive strategy to support countries in addressing
the issue of low immunization coverage. WHO and its Member States in the Region
will acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of all immunization partners
and most importantly the hard work of health staff and volunteers involved in
immunization for the last few decades.
India was removed from the
WHO’s polio-endemic country list as of 25 February 2012, putting the Region on
track to achieve the goal of polio eradication and certifying the Region
polio-free by 2014. Between 2000 and 2010, an estimated 153 million children
were immunized through measles campaigns across the Region. In 2011 alone, 11.5
million children in Indonesia
and 40.7 million children in India
were immunized against measles through supplementary immunization activities.
With India
launching massive campaigns between 2010 and 2012 targeting more than 129
million children and other countries sustaining progress, the Region is moving
towards setting a measles elimination goal soon.
“Nearly 9.7 million children in the Region
still do not get the most basic of vaccines like the third dose of
DTP-containing vaccine,” said Dr Samlee Plianbangchang, WHO Regional Director
for South-East Asia. “Immunization is one of
the most cost-effective public health interventions. Growing opportunities
through new funding as well as research and development initiatives should not
go in vain due to the lack of perceived benefit. We need to increase public
awareness and ensure that the general public understands how Immunization Saves
Lives,” he added.
The current estimated immunization coverage
for DTP3-containing vaccines in
South-East Asia remains relatively low at 73%. Some countries have achieved high national coverage (90-95%) while others are experiencing challenges in establishing universal coverage in different states, provinces and districts that pose a variety of barriers.
South-East Asia remains relatively low at 73%. Some countries have achieved high national coverage (90-95%) while others are experiencing challenges in establishing universal coverage in different states, provinces and districts that pose a variety of barriers.
The WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia adopted a resolution in September 2011,
endorsed by all 11 Member States, declaring 2012
as the Year of Intensification of Routine Immunization.
Bangladesh has targeted 33 low-performing
districts and city corporations to increase their fully immunized children
coverage to 80%; India has stratified plans prioritizing 237 districts with
less than 50% coverage to reach full immunization; Indonesia has targeted 32
districts in 11 provinces with less than 80% DTP3 coverage by ensuring that over
5000 villages intensify routine immunization where services have not reached
the underserved populations. Other countries like Bhutan
and Thailand
have already reached high national immunization coverage of more than 90% at
national level and more than 80% at district level for DTP-containing vaccines.
These countries will focus their intensification efforts on strategies to reach
95% and 90% coverage respectively.
In the last two years, pentavalent vaccine
(DTP + hepatitis +Hib) has been introduced in Bangladesh,
Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka
and in two states in India.
As part of intensification efforts, DPR Korea, Maldives,
Myanmar
and Timor-Leste will introduce pentavalent vaccine in their routine
immunization schedule. Other countries are currently assessing the introduction
of other vaccines by gathering evidence-based data on disease burden, as well
as through financial sustainability studies.
###
The
WHO South-East Asia Region comprises the following 11 Member States: Bangladesh, Bhutan,
DPR Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives,
Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka,
Thailand
and Timor-Leste.
For
more information please contact:
Ms Vismita Gupta-Smith, Public Information and Advocacy
Officer, WHO South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO), New Delhi, Tel:
91-11-23309401, mobile + 91 9871329861,
e-mail: guptasmithv@searo.who.int
All press releases, fact sheets and
other WHO media material may be found at: www.searo.who.int
First World Immunization Week globally starting from 21 April 2012. However, in the South-East Asia Region, WHO has declared 2012 as the Year of Intensification of Routine Immunization. The South-East Asia Region has decided to adopt a more aggressive strategy to support countries in addressing the issue of lowimmunization coverage. WHO and its Member States in the Region will acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of all immunization partners and most importantly the hard work of health staff and volunteers
involved in immunization for the last few decades.
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