Intensification of routine immunization
Overview
Since then, plans for intensification of routine immunization have been incorporated into the comprehensive multi-year plans for immunization in all countries. As per WHO UNICEF estimates the overall coverage with DPT3 in the Region has increased to 88% in 2017 and seven out of the 11 countries achieved an overall DPT3 coverage of more than 90%.
Year of Intensification of Routine Immunization
In an effort to catalyse immunization stakeholders to address the issues identified as barriers to increase immunization coverage, the Regional Director organized a one-day High-Level Ministerial meeting in New Delhi on 2 August 2011.
This meeting drew commitments through the Delhi Call for Action to intensify efforts to achieve high uniform coverage of routine immunization throughout the South-East Asia Region.
The meeting was attended by most ministers of health of Member States of the Region – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal and Sri Lanka – along with 12 parliamentarians from 6 countries and senior officials of the ministries of health from all 11 Member States, UN agencies, development partners including NGOs and foundations and the private sector.
Following the High-Level Ministerial meeting, efforts turned to the 64th Regional Committee in September 2011 where a resolution on immunizaion was passed. Among other things, Member States were urged to Declare 2012 as Year of Intensification of Routine Immunization, to develop and implement concrete Plans of Action and to allocate the needed resources to overcome challenges to increasing immunization coverage.
As part of monitoring progress, the Regional Committee also requested the Regional Director to report annually on progress made in reaching the established targets in the individual country Plans of Action and in the Region.
