More concerted efforts are needed to vaccinate infants worldwide: WHO – Xinhua

GENEVA, July 16 (Xinhua) – Although nine out of ten infants received at least one dose of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP3) vaccine in 2017, more concerted efforts are still needed to achieve universal immunization coverage, especially Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan, according to a joint statement from the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF on Monday.

Worldwide, about 123 million infants, or nine out of ten, received at least one dose of DTP3 vaccine in 2017, protecting them from infectious diseases that can cause serious illness, disability, or death. This represents an overall immunization coverage of 85 percent of DTP3, according to the WHO

However, coverage of DTP3 in Africa has remained at 72 percent since 2010, although population growth means that about 3.2 million newborns need to be vaccinated 2017.

To achieve universal immunization coverage, the WHO estimates that globally, 20 million additional children need to be vaccinated with the DTP3; An additional 45 million children need to be vaccinated with a second dose of measles vaccine and an additional 76 million children need to be vaccinated with three doses of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.

This goal still requires much more concerted effort, for example, of the 19.9 million infants who are not fully immunized with DTP3, nearly eight million (40%) live in countries affected by conflict, of which approximately 5.6 million live in three countries: Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan, where access to routine immunization services is essential to achieve and maintain the life of the community. eradication of poliomyelitis.

Meanwhile, vaccines to prevent major child killers such as rotavirus. diarrhea and pneumonia have been around for more than a decade. But the use of rotavirus and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) is still lagging behind.

In 2017, global coverage was only 28% for rotavirus and 44% for PCV. The WHO points out that vaccination against these two diseases has the potential to dramatically reduce deaths of children under five, a target of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The good news is that, overall, 85% of children have been vaccinated. the first dose of measles vaccine before their first birthday through routine health services, and 67% with a second dose. The WHO statistics also show that 167 countries have included a second dose of measles vaccine in their routine immunization schedule.

Nevertheless, coverage levels remain well below the WHO measles immunization coverage of at least 95% to prevent epidemics.

WHO and UNICEF called for targeted actions at the subnational level to ensure access to immunization for vulnerable populations.

They suggest that countries continue to strengthen their health systems while adding new vaccines to their national immunization program, and ensure that all children have access to immunization and complete their immunization series with all recommended vaccines.