Latest news with #ExpandedProgrammeonImmunisation
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Health Talk: India ranks 2nd in unvaccinated kids but comparison somewhat flawed
India has had the most number of unvaccinated children— 1.4 million— after Nigeria (2.5million), of the 15.7 million unvaccinated children globally in 2023, data published in The Lancet on Tuesday said. The world has made unprecedented progress in vaccinating children against life-threatening disease since WHO established the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in 1974 (HT Photo/ Representative photo) According to the paper, at least half of the world's 15.7 million unvaccinated children in the same year were living in just eight countries, with 53% in sub-Saharan Africa and 13% in south Asia. The Democratic Republic of Congo (882,000), Ethiopia (782,000), Somalia (710,000), Sudan (627,000), Indonesia (538,000), and Brazil (452,000) were the other countries with high unvaccinated children load globally. In the south Asian region, the countries with the highest number of zero-dose children in 2023 after India were Pakistan (419,000), Nepal (11,000), and Bangladesh (6,000). The paper also has new projections through 2030 on global childhood vaccine coverage that shows that the world will fail to meet the World Health Organisation's (WHO) immunisation goals unless substantial improvements are made in the next five years. 'The world has made unprecedented progress in vaccinating children against life-threatening disease since WHO established the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) in 1974. Despite the progress of the past 50 years, the last two decades have also been marked by stagnating childhood vaccination rates and wide variation in vaccine coverage. These challenges have been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving millions of children vulnerable to preventable diseases and death…,' read the paper. Also Read: Health Talk | Need for quick vaccine development to save lives While India has been ranked as the country with the second highest number of zero-dose children, the comparison is somewhat flawed. As the ministry of health and family welfare, government of India, has been maintaining that India's vaccination coverage among children has been growing steadily but owing to the country's large population, their comparison with most other countries cannot be without error. Last year, officials aware of the matter in the government, responded to vaccination coverage estimates released by WHO and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) that showed at 1.6 million India had the second highest zero-dose children in the world after Nigeria with 2.1 million unvaccinated children. The officials said that the estimates were flawed as the country's base population had not been taken into consideration while calculating the numbers and if the population had been considered then the percentage would be much less. Also Read: Health Talk | The crucial role of effective vaccine coverage in tackling antimicrobial resistance It is a valid argument as any numbers coming from India— without considering its baseline population— would seem through the roof. The estimation has to grow more nuanced.
Business Recorder
12-06-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
Kamal visits FDI Directorate
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Directorate of Immunisation (FDI) is administering vaccination for protection against 12 deadly preventable diseases through over 9,000 health centres nationwide. This was stated by the Director General (DG) FDI, Dr Soofia Yunus, during a briefing to the Federal Minister for Health, Mustafa Kamal, who visited the FDI Directorate, here on Wednesday to review its operations, performance, achievements and challenges faced by the Expanded Programme on Immunization. The minister was accompanied by Health Secretary Syed Waqarul Hassan, according to the official spokesperson of the Ministry of Health. Dr Yunus, briefed the minister on the functions of the directorate, highlighting the key role of the immunisation programme in preventing 12 deadly vaccine preventable diseases across the country. Recognising the importance of an effective vaccination programme, Minister Kamal instructed that vacant positions within the programme should be advertised immediately and filled with qualified and competent professionals through a transparent recruitment process. 'To ensure the success of the vaccination programme, the appointment of skilled professionals is crucial,' he emphasised. 'We must evaluate the challenges and formulate practical recommendations to strengthen the programme.' He also announced plans to engage with provincial health ministers to build a unified and robust approach to immunisation and directed the teams to share challenges that the minister will be discussing with health ministers for strengthening the Expanded Programme on Immunization. Kamal shared his vision of a transformative shift in the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) by advocating for a model where the responsibility, interest and ownership to seek out immunisation services lies with parents and caregivers, who are encouraged to visit government health facilities proactively. Under this new direction, the emphasis will be on empowering and mobilising communities to take initiative in accessing vaccines, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility. Kamal maintained that this approach will enhance public awareness, strengthen demand, and increase accountability for routine immunisation. By encouraging families to engage actively with the health system, he aims to improve service quality, boost vaccination coverage, and instil long-term health-seeking behaviour, ultimately contributing to a more resilient and sustainable national immunization program. The minister also visited FDI's 1166 Sehat Tahaffuz Free Helpline and the Vaccine Logistics Management Information System (vLMIS) Control Room, where he received a detailed briefing on their operations. He issued directives for further improvement of the systems to enhance service delivery. In this regard, the minister stated that reviewing our existing strategy and learning from our mistakes is an opportunity for us. Hence, FDI Team is directed to redevelop a strategy in 15 days that shall lead us towards our ultimate immunisation goal. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Indian Express
07-06-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Measles spike in US shows how vaccine hesitancy threatens decades of public-health progress
Vaccines are critical tools for the containment and elimination of infectious diseases. They work not merely by protecting individuals, but by reducing community transmission. There have been several global pushes to improve vaccine uptake over the years, but one major coordinated effort occurred in 2021 in response to the Covid pandemic, which saw the most rapid vaccine introduction in history. Globally, the years with the most vaccine introductions have typically coincided with public health initiatives, funding boosts, or as a response to pandemics. The 1980s and 1990s saw WHO's Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) with DTP (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis), polio, measles, BCG (tuberculosis) vaccines and Hepatitis B and Hib vaccines introduced in the late 1990s. The 2000s saw accelerated introductions of Hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), and yellow fever vaccines in low-income countries, marking a shift in global access to routine vaccines. The introduction of new and underused vaccines like pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), rotavirus vaccine, HPV and Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine marked the next decade. The United States is currently experiencing a significant resurgence of measles, with 1,046 confirmed cases as of May 27. This marks a sharp increase from previous years, with the majority of cases occurring among unvaccinated individuals in regions with declining immunisation rates. Measles was officially eliminated from the US in 2000. This implies that new cases occur only when someone contracts measles abroad and returns to the country. A new study from Johns Hopkins points out that the significant drop in childhood vaccination rates is concerning because herd immunity requires at least 95 per cent vaccination coverage. The MMR vaccine is probably one of the most effective vaccines. A single dose gives 93 per cent protection from infection, and two doses up to 98 per cent. Measles, which can be deadly for unvaccinated children, is highly contagious. Factors like post-pandemic vaccine hesitancy, non-evidence-based fears of the association between the MMR vaccine and autism, and the complacency of populations who may not remember the long-term sequelae of measles infection are behind the dwindling measles vaccination rates in the US. Measles is often regarded as the 'canary in the coalmine' — if cases spread, it is a warning that other disease outbreaks might spring up where there are gaps in vaccination coverage. Its resurgence in the US is a global warning that even advanced health systems are vulnerable without consistent immunisation. Globally, only 83 per cent of children received the first dose of the measles vaccine in 2023; 74 per cent received the second dose. These figures fall short of the 95 per cent coverage needed to prevent outbreaks. India has made significant strides in its immunisation efforts, particularly under the UIP. India achieved a national immunisation coverage of 93.5 per cent in 2023–24, indicating that the majority of children received all recommended vaccines by the age of two. Since its inception, Mission Indradhanush, focused on areas with low immunisation rates, has completed 12 phases, vaccinating 5.46 crore children and 1.32 crore pregnant women across 554 districts. However, the measles upsurge in the US shows one cannot ignore increasing vaccine hesitancy, particularly since it threatens to throw away the gains made in the containment of infectious diseases. In resource-limited settings, this can lead to healthcare systems being overwhelmed and a general delay in uptake of new vaccines. Misinformation has contributed significantly to the declining uptake for vaccines. The flu vaccination rates among NHS staff in the UK, for instance, dropped to their lowest in nearly 15 years in 2024-25. So far, India has remained immune to vaccine hesitancy. Previous experience with successful vaccination campaigns and government endorsements have played an important role in creating a positive perception of vaccines. However, we must remain alert and actively consider putting in place a multi-pronged, culturally nuanced plan to address vaccine hesitancy. The writer is senior scientist, ICMR
Business Recorder
03-06-2025
- General
- Business Recorder
Communicable diseases: Need for collaboration to create awareness stressed
ISLAMABAD: The Director General (DG) Health of Federal Directorate of Immunization (FDI) has stressed the need for close collaboration between the government agencies and the civil society organisations (CSOs) to create awareness on various communicable viral diseases including poliovirus. Speaking at an event, Dr Shabana Saleem, DG Health FDI here on Tuesday said that SCOs engagement will help bridge remaining gaps in routine immunisation coverage, especially in remote and underserved areas through advocacy, demand generation, and service delivery. The meeting marked the beginning of a transformative phase in Pakistan's Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), highlighting the significant role CSOs can play in reaching underserved populations. Dr Saleem welcomed representatives from CSOs, partner organisations, and the EPI community, expressing gratitude to Gavi, Mannion Daniels (MD), Oxford Policy Management (OPM), and the 17 selected CSOs from all the four provinces for their commitment and participation. 'CSOs bring community trust, local knowledge, and grassroots presence, making them essential partners in strengthening our immunisation programme,' said Dr Saleem. These CSOs will play a pivotal role in identifying 'zero-dose' children, mobilising communities, and extending EPI services where they are needed most. The CSOs will operate as a vital extension of national and provincial EPI systems. Federal and provincial governments' leadership in CSO engagement exemplifies how strategic collaboration can drive higher immunisation coverage. Through the government's strong commitment to work closely with CSOs at the provincial level, the immunisation programme will be further strengthened to reach more children, especially those that have proven hardest to reach, stated Carrie Madison Gheen, Senior Country Manager, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Karen Stephenson, Team Lead for the CSO Fund Manager Mechanism at Mannion Daniels stated: 'We are delighted that thanks to the collaboration with the FDI and Provincial partners, a diverse range of civil society organizations are now able to support Pakistan's efforts to increase immunization coverage. Civil society organizations will be able to deliver meaningful results together with the communities they work in.' Under Gavi's CSO Fund Manager Mechanism, Mannion Daniels and Oxford Policy Management are responsible for delivering fund management services. To date, this has involved a rigorous independent shortlisting and due diligence process including consultation with federal and provincial EPI leadership. This resulted in the selection of 17 CSOs to support immunisation efforts across Pakistan. Following this shortlisting and selection process, the CSO Fund Manager Mechanism in Pakistan now enters the grant implementation phase. At this point, Dr Saleem emphasised the importance of coordination between CSOs, the FDI, Provincial EPIs, and development partners. 'Clear KPIs and robust monitoring frameworks will guide this initiative to ensure transparency, accountability, and measurable results,' she stated. 'I urge all CSO partners to embrace this responsibility with integrity and commitment.' Dr Saleem thanked all participants for their dedication. 'Together, let's make this partnership a model of how governments and civil society can work hand in hand to ensure every child in Pakistan receives life-saving vaccines, regardless of geography or background.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
The Citizen
29-05-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Gauteng health urges parents to take children for immunisation
Children are vaccinated according to the national Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) schedule, from birth to 12 years old. The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) is urging parents, caregivers, and communities to ensure children are fully immunised. It warned that failure to do so places young lives at risk and undermines their right to a healthy life. This call coincides with South Africa's observance of National Child Protection Week, from 29 May to 5 June 2025. The department on Thursday emphasised that protecting children from preventable diseases is a vital part of honouring their constitutional right to life, health, and dignity. Alarming drop in vaccination rates Despite immunisation services being freely available at all public health facilities in the province, coverage remains below target. According to departmental data, only 82.3% of children under the age of one were fully vaccinated in the 2024/25 financial year, short of the 90% target. The second dose of the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine recorded an even lower uptake at 78.4%, against the provincial goal of 92%. 'Failing to complete a child's immunisation schedule is not just a medical oversight, it is a silent threat to their well-being, and a subtle form of neglect,' said Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko. ALSO READ: Spike in foodborne illness prompts Gauteng crackdown on non-compliant establishments, says health MEC Sedibeng district leading The department highlighted disparities in coverage across districts. Sedibeng is leading the way, achieving 98% full immunisation for children under one and 96.1% for the MR second dose. However, metropolitan districts such as Tshwane (76.6%), Ekurhuleni (78.6%), and Johannesburg (85%) continue to underperform. One of the contributing factors is poor adherence to follow-up vaccination appointments. The GDoH said it will strengthen public awareness on the importance of completing vaccination schedules and implement coordinated school holiday campaigns, working with Integrated School Health Programme (ISH) teams and outbreak response units. ALSO READ: Gauteng health warns of 'silent killer' 'Immunisation is a right, not a choice' Children are vaccinated according to the national Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) schedule, from birth to 12 years old. Each vaccine visit is recorded in the Road to Health Booklet, which parents must present at every clinic appointment. The department is also intensifying efforts to track children who missed routine vaccines, particularly in underserved areas, and will continue to offer outreach services to close these gaps. 'This Child Protection Week, we must all recommit to protecting the rights of our children by ensuring they receive every scheduled vaccine on time, because a healthy child is a protected child,' Nkomo-Ralehoko said. GDoH reminded parents that ensuring a child is fully immunised is not only a health responsibility, but also a moral and legal obligation under South Africa's child protection laws. NOW READ: Health minister defends nearly R10 million legal spend on NHI court battles
