Expanded Programme on Immunization

Expanded Programme on Immunization Expanded Programme on Immunization has been implementing the reduction of morbidity and mortality due to vaccine preventable diseases among the children aged 1 to 5 years with the aim of reduction of under five mortality by the year 2015, to the two-third of 1990, thereby achieving the MDG 4. As one of the unit under Department of Health, Central Expanded Programme on Immunization is taking the responsible for setting policy and multi-year planning for National Immunization Progrmme, management of vaccine and cold chain, distribution of logistics, monitoring the immunization activities of Regions and States, Surveillance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases and Response to Vaccine Preventable Diseases outbreaks including Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIA). The main partners of the Programme are WHO, UNICEF, Global Alliance for Vaccine (GAVI) and national and international Non-governmental Organizations and Civil Service Organizations like Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association (MMCWA), Myanmar Women Affairs Federation (MWAF) and Myanmar Medical Association (MMA). The Objective of the Expanded Programme on Immunization is to reduce and eliminate the morbidity and mortality of vaccine preventable diseases. According to Global Immunization Vision and Strategy-GIVS, EPI has set the following specific objectives. To achieve the coverage at least 80% in all townships and 95% nationally To sustain the country status of elimination and eradication of vaccine preventable diseases from the public health problem To achieve polio eradication by the year 2013 and measles elimination by the year 2015 to be in line with regional goal To introduce new appropriate vaccine/ vaccines by the year 2013 thereby reducing the morbidity and mortality among under 5 children Routine Immunization Coverage (1990-2010) 106

Mass Measles Campaign (2012) Mass Measles Campiagn (2012) had been conducted in March 2012 from 22 nd to 31 st for 10 days in all Regions and States. It is according to one of the 4 strategies for Regional Measles Elimination. Other justification for MMC (2012) had been identified as National Measles coverage in 2010 was 88%. There had been increased measles cases and outbreaks with deaths in 2011 Surveillance findings were warning the immunity gaps; Pocket of low measles coverage and gaps in routine immunization The last follow up campaign for Measles was in 2007 There were accumulation of susceptible children and thus to protect all susceptible children especially under 5 children The progress towards Measles elimination and MDG-4 is to be accelerated. The immunization system is to be experienced and strengthened specifically for capacity building of health workers on Injection safety, micro-planning and cold chain management. Strategies of Regional Strategic Plan for Measles Elimination Improving and sustaining routine immunization coverage Improving measles surveillance Second dose of measles vaccine (catch-up immunization campaigns & routine second dose/ campaigns) Improving case management including administration of vitamin A 10-14 Years 18% 15+ Years 17% Unknown 2% 5-9 Years 24% <1 Year 8% 1-4 Years 31% Age Distribution of Measles Cases (Total Cases 1869) Routine Measles coverage 2006-2010 107

The Launching Ceremony of Mass Measles Campaign (2012) was held on 26 th March 2012 at Ministry of Health in Nay Pyi Taw. Professor Dr. Pe Thet Khin, Union Minister for Health, delivered an Inaugural speech at Launching Ceremony of Mass Measles Campaign 2012 The Ministry of Health has employed new and traditional channels of communication to alert parents to the measles campaign, from radio and television adverts to announcements made through loudspeakers mounted on vans. The invitation cards were distributed to ensure the measles campaign reaches its targeted 6.4 million under-fives. Altogether about 6.4 millions of the children who are between the age of 9 months to 5 years had been vaccinated against Measles. The nationwide coverage is 97.4%. Coverage of Mass Measles Campaign (2012) <80% 80% - 89% 90% & above 108

President of MMCWA, Dr. Mon Mon Aung, cheering the child getting measles vaccine Dr. H.S.B Tennakoon, WHO Representative to Myanmar, giving presents to the child Representative from UNICEF, giving presents to the child Intensification of Routine Immunization: Framework for increasing and sustaining coverage The High-Level Preparatory (HLP) Meeting, held in the Regional Office in New Delhi from 27 th to 30 th June 2011, had made the important recommendations concerning increasing and sustaining coverage in SEAR countries. High Level Ministerial Meeting had committed 2012 as a Year of Intensification of Routine Immunization. Although National coverage for DPT3 has been increased to 90% in 2009 and 2010, the EPI programme is also facing, as in other SEAR countries, with big challenge in sub-national 109

routine immunization coverage. Many barriers resulting in limitation in service delivery and other socio-economic barriers threaten the routine immunization coverage. The National Plan for Intensification of Routine Immunization, developed by EPI, had been approved by Ministry of Health in June 2011. In July 2011, Ministry of Health has been formulated the plan for strengthening routine immunization in country as soon as the immunity gaps have been identified through the evaluation of the programme and surveillance system of vaccine preventable diseases. It is also in line with National Health Plan (2011-2016) and according to CMYP (2012-2016). The following prioritized activities are being determined in the identified areas in specified timeline. Advocacy to the new State and Regional governments Increasing EPI workforce by assigning the Public Health Supervisors Grade II as vaccinators Modified immunization policy focusing in quantity of service Strengthening the cold chain management (stock and vaccine) Capacity building of mid level managers for EPI (Township Medical Officers) Health promotion by awareness raising and demand generation through mass media and IEC with ethnic Languages More participation of local NGOs and INGOs in each step of immunization activities As on the accomplishment of filling the gaps of immunization coverage with the increased political commitment and investment, Myanmar will keep its honor for the commitments in 2012 as a year of intensification of routine immunization with the modification of existing country s policy for 2012 to be in line with the regional policy. Introduction of New Vaccines (Pentavalent Vaccine and Measles second dose) Government of Myanmar has decided to support EPI by co-financing with GAVI for Pentavalent vaccine in routine immunization programme. Government has spent US$1.3 million per year to introduce 5 in 1 Pentavalent vaccine (containing DPT, Hepatitis B and Hemophilus Influenza b) to be used as new vaccine in the country for the basic of 5 years. Pentavalent vaccine will be started in July, 2012, replacing DPT and Hepatitis B vaccine in Routine 110

Immunization Programme together with the second dose of Measles vaccine, for the age of 18 months old children. EVM assessment Effective Vaccine Management (EVM) was conducted in July-August 2011 and the improvement plan was developed. As per EVM assessment, Myanmar has adequate storage capacity at all level for introduction of new vaccines which are Pentavalent and Measles second dose. Conducting EVM Assessment (2011) 111