WHO: Immunity gap due to Covid-19 threatens Vietnamese children

Vaccination has protected millions of children in Vietnam from many diseases over the past 40 years.

This is information shared by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on the occasion of World Immunization Week.

The number of children dying from vaccine-preventable diseases has decreased significantly since Vietnam began implementing the National Expanded Program on Immunization in 1981. The program aims to ensure that all children Children in all parts of the country have access to disease prevention vaccines.

With tens of millions of children vaccinated since the program launched, Vietnam has eradicated smallpox and polio, eliminated neonatal tetanus, and significantly reduced the number of preventable diseases. vaccines such as measles, diphtheria, pertussis and Japanese encephalitis.

Vaccines are one of humanity’s greatest achievements. Over the past 50 years, vaccines have saved nearly 154 million lives (equivalent to more than 3 million people per year) globally. Today, more children are celebrating their first birthday than at any other time in human history.

Ms. Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative in Vietnam said: “Vietnam’s vaccination program has contributed to saving children’s lives and reducing the devastating impact of vaccine-preventable diseases on families.” family, community and country over the past 40 years.

Going forward, we strongly encourage the Government of Vietnam to maintain this great achievement so that every child has the opportunity to survive, thrive and have a healthy life.”

In Vietnam, vaccines under the Expanded Program on Immunization are provided free of charge to children.

Vaccination is the safest and most effective way to protect children against many deadly preventable diseases.

However, like many other countries, regular vaccination services in Vietnam have been interrupted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Unvaccinated children are at high risk of serious illness.

In addition, large numbers of children being unvaccinated could lead to outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. These risks are threatening the achievements that Vietnam has achieved in reducing child mortality over the past few decades.

Swift efforts and decisive action from the Government to ensure that essential vaccines reach every child in a timely manner are vital.

WHO Representative in Vietnam, Dr. Angela Pratt commented: “Vietnam’s success in eliminating a number of diseases and significantly reducing the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases shows the power of vaccination.” strain.

These results are the result of the Government’s direction along with the strong cooperation of health workers from all parts of the country, local partners, community organizations, leaders and communities in Vietnam. localities, international development partners, donors and scientists for many years.

However, these achievements are under threat; We need to act quickly to close the immunity gap and ensure that life-saving vaccines can reach all children in every part of the country, today and in the future.”