EPI and VPD Surveillance Review in Thailand, 1-8 September 2025

26 September 2025
Reading time:

The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) of Thailand in collaboration World Health Organization (WHO) has conducted an Independent External Review of Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) and Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD) Surveillance Programmes review during 1-8 September 2025 in Thailand.

This review aimed to assess the current state of EPI performance, VPD surveillance programme, and the elimination progress for specific VPDs such and Polio and Measles, Rubella and Mother-to-Child Tetanus with a view to providing recommendations to further strengthen Thailand’s already very strong national programme.

The review team, comprising experts from various fields including UNICEF, IFRC, and NCIRS conducted a thorough examination through desk reviews, site visits, interviews with key stakeholders, and an extensive review of programme data and documentation. The team visited national programmes, Bangkok Metropolitan and other six provinces located in four regions of Thailand participated in this review, including two districts in each province, and observed immunization sessions and interviewed caretakers and mothers in the community. These include Chiang Rai, Tak, Udon Thani, Sukhothai, Chonburi and Patani provinces.  (see map)

The review focused on seven key domains including

  1. Programme management and financing
  2. Human resource management 
  3. Vaccine supply, quality and logistics
  4. Service delivery
  5. Immunization coverage and AEFI monitoring 
  6. Disease surveillance and 
  7. Demand generation

After field visits to validate data and information with the relevant organizations in 7 provinces, leading by Dr. Alian Li, WHO representative to Thailand and Dr. Chris Maher the independent external   review team lead, the debriefing mission was commenced on 8 September 2025 with Dr. Panumat Yarnwaidsakul, Director- General of Department of Disease Control (DDC), Dr. Jurai Wongsawat, Senior health advisor to DDC on Immunization and other senior management of MOPH, National Health Security Office and Government Pharmaceutical Organization, at the Ministry of Public Health. 


Left: Dr. Panumat Yarnwaidsaku, Director- General of Department of Disease Control, DDC. MOPH; Middle: Dr. Ailan Li, WHO Representative to Thailand; Right: Dr. Chris Maher, the Independent External review Team Lead; Credit: DDC, MOPH

Key findings from the review highlighted the strengths of Thailand ‘s national immunization programme, including its legislative basis, good programme coverage, and effective vaccine security management. At the same time, the review  identified several challenges, including low vaccination coverage in some provinces and subpopulation groups, this risk of disease importation from neighboring countries and sub-optimal surveillance leading to late detection of disease threats. The review emphasized the need for improved coordination mechanism, better understanding of the true vaccination coverages   and enhanced syndromic surveillance systems.  Thailand, as an upper middle-income country with self-reliance Health System has achieved UHC for its citizens since 2002 - more than 20 years. Fully funded by the government/ domestic funds, to date the EPI programme has provided 13 vaccine antigens to its population including children – boy and girls, pregnant women and adults throughout their life course. 

With strong immunization and surveillance systems, Thailand achieved Maternal Neonatal Tetanus elimination prior to 1999 and has maintained polio-free status since 1997. Data also indicate that Thailand is on track to eliminate rubella. 

The final detailed report will be completed in December 2025. 

For more information, please contact Ms. Aree Mounsgookjarean at aree@who.int