WHO Urges Ramp-Up on Vaccinations in South-East Asia

The World Health Organization has called for intensified efforts across South-East Asia to immunize unvaccinated and under-vaccinated children. With 3.4 million children missing complete immunization in 2023, immediate and targeted actions are required to meet the 2030 immunization goals and protect against vaccine-preventable diseases.

The World Health Organization on Tuesday urged countries in the South-East Asia Region to bolster their actions to identify and immunize unvaccinated and under-vaccinated children.

According to recent global data, nearly 3.4 million children in the region failed to get all the necessary vaccines under the childhood immunization program in 2023. Of these, around 2.7 million children did not receive any vaccinations, making them vulnerable to life-threatening diseases, the WHO stated.

'''The increasing numbers of unvaccinated and under-vaccinated children calls for urgent and accelerated action. We need to identify where and why these children are missed and prioritize reaching them at the earliest. No child should fall sick or die of any vaccine-preventable disease when safe and effective vaccines exist to protect them against these deadly diseases,'' said Saima Wazed, Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia.

Wazed noted that the region is currently off track to meet the 2030 immunization agenda and regional vaccine action plan targets of over 90 per cent coverage with three doses of diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus (DTP3) vaccines.

Joint immunization data from WHO and UNICEF for 2023 shows DTP1 coverage in the region at 92 per cent, below the pre-pandemic level of 94 per cent in 2019, and DTP3 coverage at 90 per cent, compared to the pre-pandemic 91 per cent in 2019.

First-dose measles vaccine coverage at 9 or 12 months dropped to 91 per cent in 2023 from 94 per cent in 2019, whereas the second dose for children between 18 months and five years stayed relatively constant at 85 per cent.

Wazed emphasized the need for tailored approaches designed in consultation with affected communities to find local solutions. She highlighted that all settings, regardless of their challenges or remoteness, must devise new ways to reach children at the highest risk of life-threatening diseases.

Notably, vaccination has facilitated significant public health advances in the region, including the elimination of polio and maternal and neonatal tetanus, as well as the control of measles, rubella, and hepatitis B among children in some countries.

Lessons from these health successes, especially those achieved in the 'last mile', should be leveraged to promote vaccination efforts for children currently unvaccinated or under-vaccinated, Wazed added.

Identifying populations and areas with missed children should be prioritized for strategic interventions to implement high-quality vaccination campaigns and sessions. Stronger partner coordination and greater community engagement are also essential for enhancing vaccination coverage, Wazed said. Monitoring and accountability should be strengthened across all levels to timely address issues and meet challenges, she noted.

(With inputs from agencies.)