Save the children from diseases through regular immunizations

 

WORLD Immunization Week, celebrated in the last week of April, aims to highlight the collective action needed and to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease, according to the World Health Organization.

 

WHO works with countries across the globe to raise awareness of the value of vaccines and immunization and ensures that gov­ernments obtain the necessary guidance and technical support to implement high-quality immunisation programmes. The ultimate goal of World Immunization Week is for more people, including their communities, to be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases.

 

In looking back at the history of the world, the real-time vacci­nation and immunisation have saved a large number of people from different pandemics and outbreaks. Moreover, the systematic and timely immunizations could re­duce the fatality rate of patients from dreadful diseases.

 

According to records, vac­cination programmes in Myan­mar began in 1889. At present, vaccines protecting against 13 diseases are being expanded and administered, in line with other countries worldwide, protecting every generation. A review of Myanmar’s immu­nization coverage shows that the vaccination coverage fell to below 50 per cent in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the coverage of such activities had risen to over 80 per cent by 2025, indicating a recovery and improvement in immunization coverage rates.

 

In Myanmar, vaccination activities are being carried out with strong momentum through close cooperation among healthcare workers, volunteers, relevant depart­ments, and people. Thanks to their efforts, there have been no outbreak-like clusters of vaccine-preventable diseases in the country.

 

The government also supports immunization efforts by financ­ing the procurement of vaccines and related supplies through two approaches: full funding from the State budget through the way of self-financing and shared contributions between the government and GAVI through the co-financing system. Within seven days after the major Mandalay earthquake that occurred on 28 March 2025, tetanus vaccinations were administered to injured persons, rescue workers, and pregnant women. In addition, oral vaccines to prevent severe diarrheal diseases were also provided as a preventive measure.

 

The vaccination program is included in the President’s 100- day plan, and immunization activities must be prioritized for im­plementation. Each year, approximately US$10 million in State foreign exchange is spent on these efforts, demonstrating continued support for vaccination and immunization programmes. As such, it is necessary to implement the “For every generation, vaccines work” designated as the theme for World Immunization Week 2026 (24-30 April) to ensure equitable access to life-saving immunizations across all ages.