Immunization
THE CHALLENGE
It is estimated that immunization saves two million lives per year. Immunization rates for the six major vaccine-preventable diseases—pertussis (whooping cough), tuberculosis, tetanus, polio, measles, and diphtheria—have risen from less than 10 percent in the 1970s to nearly 80 percent today. However, coverage has leveled off more recently. Worldwide, nearly 30 million children are still not reached each year with routine immunization. Rates in some African countries have dropped to below 50 percent.
KEY INTERVENTIONS
Vaccinations for infants are now routinely provided in all developing countries against measles, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and tuberculosis. Women receive vaccinations to protect themselves and their future births against tetanus, a major killer in high-mortality environments.In addition to this basic package, WHO recommends immunization against hepatitis B; Haemophilus influenzae type b, where resources permit its use and the burden of disease is established; and yellow fever in nations at risk for outbreaks. Vaccines against both pneumococcal and rotavirus are expected to be introduced into some developing countries starting in 2008.
There are three primary strategies for the routine delivery of immunization services in or from health facilities. A fixed facility strategy refers to the regular delivery of vaccinations in a health facility on specified days of the week and hours of the day. Outreach is the regularly scheduled delivery of services to people who cannot get to health facilities or who can do so only with difficulty. Trips to outreach sites are usually completed within a day and are made by health facility staff on foot or using motorized vehicles, bicycles, or pack animals. A mobile strategy is used to deliver services to people living in remote areas and is usually achieved through trips of more than one day by district or regional health workers.
COUNTRIES
BASICS is currently providing technical assistance for routine immunization programs in the following countries—- Timor-Leste (in partnership with USAID's IMMUNIZATIONbasics Project)
- Indonesia
