Immunization in the South-East Asia

Vaccines are widely recognized as one of the most cost-effective and successful public health interventions. Across the South-East Asia Region, immunization has prevented millions of deaths and disabilities, achieved dramatic declines in once highly-endemic diseases, stopped the transmission of wild poliovirus, eliminated maternal and neonatal tetanus, and significantly reduced the transmission of measles, Japanese encephalitis, and hepatitis B viruses.

Strong immunization systems built over the past decade ensure that over 32 million infants are now fully immunized annually and more than 90% of the population in the Region is accessing the benefits of life-saving vaccines.

"These achievements are an immense source of pride and testimony to the work of political decision-makers, and the millions of health workers and volunteers supporting immunization programmes. Through our collective effort we have the power to fortify and expand routine immunization across the Region. We have the power to prevent, control and eliminate vaccine-preventable diseases, including measles.”

- Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia Region