Strengthen efforts to vaccinate five million unvaccinated children: WHO – World

New Delhi, July 17, 2018 – WHO welcomes efforts by countries to save more and more lives through immunization, including in the event of a public health emergency. Southeast Asia.

"It is essential to identify missing persons and administer life-saving vaccines to them, and equity and improved immunization coverage are essential to prevent disease resurgence. especially those that are eradicated by careful efforts, and to further reduce diseases and deaths in children, "said Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh. The WHO Region of South-East Asia registers approximately 37 million births each year, of which more than 88% of children now receive three doses of vaccines against diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus (DPT) . "Mapping hard-to-reach areas and populations, addressing social and cultural barriers and other barriers to accessing immunization services, and closely monitoring these activities for progress, should be part of our immediate priorities. Priorities, "said the Regional Director.

Many countries are making impressive efforts, such as the Indradhanush Indian Mission which focuses on the intensification of Indonesian action in 80 districts, the United States. intensification of urban immunization in Myanmar targeting 29 cantons Nepal's efforts to achieve full immunization at the sub-district level, and the twinning and twinning program with Sri Lanka for capacity building of program managers

In Cox & # 39; s Bazar, Bangladesh, nine massive vaccination campaigns allowed Rohingya refugees to receive more e 4.5 million doses of vaccine. These efforts have prevented epidemics of deadly diseases such as cholera and measles and rapidly reduced the diphtheria epidemic among this vulnerable population.

Growing Political Commitment, Enhanced Partnerships and Endless Efforts of Thousands of Health Workers and Vaccinators Dr. Khetrapal Singh said:

Member States added several new vaccines to their immunization schedules , especially for protection against pneumonia, diarrhea, Japanese encephalitis and cancer of the cervix of the uterus. Control of hepatitis B is gaining momentum with vaccination.

The Region remains polio-free and maintains its elimination status for maternal and neonatal tetanus.

Two countries – Bhutan and Maldives – have eliminated measles, the flagship priority program for immunization. WHO Region of South-East Asia. All countries have introduced two doses of measles and rubella vaccines into their immunization schedules. Immunization campaigns against measles and rubella are planned to reach nearly 400 million children and adolescents between 2018 and 2019.

These intensified efforts need to be strengthened and supported in the research of 39, a Region free of vaccine preventable diseases. The Regional Director stated:

WHO's Technical Advisory Group on Immunization brings together international experts, representatives of the international community and representatives of WHO. National Immunization Technical Advisory Bodies and Directors of Immunization Programs of WHO Member States in the South-East Asia Region, as well as partners and donors such as UNICEF, the Centers for Disease Control and Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance. The Advisory Group will review current efforts and challenges to reduce the burden of various vaccine-preventable diseases and explore ways to strengthen routine immunization and achieve measles elimination and rubella control in the community. Member States of the Region. Contact:

Shamila Sharma
Information Officer and Public Prosecutor
WHO Regional Office for Southeast Asia
Telephone : +91 9818287256
Email: [email protected]