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Vaccines and immunization have played a remarkable and important
role in protecting more people against vaccine-preventable diseases.
Regional achievements include:
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eradication of
smallpox.
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increasing
vaccination coverage with three doses of diphtheria–tetanus–pertussis
(DTP3) to 85% in 2009, up from 18% in 1980.
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15 countries and
northern Sudan have achieved 90% coverage with DPT3 at the
national level and 5 countries are approaching the target.
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by 2008, measles
mortality had reduced by 93% compared to 2000 levels and due to
large-scale campaigns, the Region has vaccinated more than 200
million people against measles.
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maintaining 20
polio-free countries.
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hepatitis B and
Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccines have been introduced in
21 and 17 countries, respectively.
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utilizing
national immunization programmes as a platform to provide other
life-saving health interventions, such as vitamin A supplements,
bednets to prevent malaria and de-worming medicine.
Despite substantial progress in immunizing more children over the
past two decades, we continue to face major challenges.
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Under-five deaths
estimated at 1.276 million (2008).
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Vaccine-preventable diseases contribute to 20%–25% of under-five
deaths.
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An estimated 1.9
million or more than 5000 infants per day did not receive their
third dose of DPT (DTP3) by their first birthday (2009).
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There are still
two polio-endemic countries - Afghanistan and Pakistan.
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Elimination of
measles by 2010 does not seem likely.
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Tetanus remains
an ongoing issue in the Region and the global target of
elimination of mother and neonatal tetanus by 2005 was not
achieved.
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Pneumococcal
vaccine has been introduced in six countries and rotavirus
vaccine in only two countries.
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Weak EPI
programme capacity, human resources and structure.
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Misinformation by
the media and refusals by pockets of population.
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Stagnant
political and financial commitment by donors and
decision-makers.
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