More Vaccines Available for the Most Vulnerable Here

Vaccination rates have drastically improved in Myanmar thanks to quick, collective action.

“Regardless of borders or boundaries, let’s join hands in ensuring equitable and accessible vaccination of all children and pregnant women in Myanmar. Let us timely vaccinate and save lives of our loved one and ensure no one is left behind,” says Dr. Balwinder Singh, Team Lead for the Essential Program on Immunization at the World Health Organization Myanmar.

In 2021, Myanmar was among the top 20 countries with the highest number of children who had yet to receive vaccinations, with as many as 1.2 million zero-dose and under-immunized children under the age of five. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and political instability across the country, a vaccine drive began that successfully immunized 170,000 children with the Penta 3 vaccine, taking the coverage from 37 per cent to 71 per cent in mere months. The World Health Organization was involved in training health staff and continues working alongside the country to improve health infrastructure nationwide. Vaccine equality and access – particularly for those individuals who are the most vulnerable – is a priority, and the development of Myanmar’s National Immunization Strategy 2024-2028 is currently underway.