Bhutan has made significant progress in achieving the Universal Immunisation coverage target. The country has vaccinated 99.6 per cent of children so far. This is according to data released by the Ministry of Health in 2023. In line with World Immunisation Week, the next story reflects how the country’s immunisation programme has made its mark with continuous support from the United Nations Children’s Fund, or UNICEF since its inception in 1979.
According to a news release from UNICEF Bhutan, all children immunised under one year received three doses of the pentavalent vaccine. The pentavalent vaccine shields a child from five life-threatening diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B and influenza.
Andrea James, the UNICEF Country Representative said that Bhutan is well on track in achieving universal immunisation coverage.
“It is also really a chance to recognise that Bhutan is leading. I mean with this type of progress Bhutan is set to continue maintaining its top position across the region,” said Andrea James, country representative, of the United Nations Children Fund.
According to UNICEF, the network of 51 hospitals, 184 primary health centres and over 550 outreach clinics made it easier to vaccinate children.
Furthermore, UNICEF’s Country Representative said that UNICEF procures 50 per cent of the required traditional vaccines and supports the government in procuring other needed vaccines at a lower cost through global procurement services.
“Also, we have procured and we have provided cold chain equipment which is important to keep the vaccines at the right temperature. So across Bhutan, we have ensured that all of those health facilities have the much-needed cold chain equipment, cold storage, and freezers to maintain the integrity of the vaccines,” added Andrea James.
This year’s theme for World Immunisation Week is “Humanly Possible: Saving Lives Through Immunisation”.
According to UNICEF, Bhutan is now a beacon of hope for other countries and proof that it is humanly possible to reach every child with life-saving vaccines.
“By investing in immunisation we can reach all people around the world with life-saving vaccines no matter where they are. We have done it before. And we can do it again. Bhutan has shown what is humanly possible with political commitment, and hard work in health care workers and of course, Bhutan was certified polio-free in 2014. So, Bhutan is the perfect example of what is humanly possible.”
The National Immunisation Programme over the past 45 years has rid Bhutan of many diseases, such as polio, measles, rubella, and hepatitis, for children below 5 years of age.
Bhutan achieved Universal Child Immunisation in 1991, received maternal and Neonatal tetanus elimination Certification in 2016 and Measles Elimination Certification in 2017.
Bhutan was certified as Rubella controlled in 2018 and received the certification of Rubella eliminated in 2023. Bhutan was certified for Childhood Hep-B control in 2019.
Bhutan’s expanded programme for immunisation today provides 11 life-saving vaccines containing 13 antigens to children and mothers.
Furthermore, UNICEF said they will continue to support the Ministry of Health to conduct mobile camps to reach the children yet to be vaccinated.
Devika Pradhan
Edited by Phub Gyem
