India: WHO laud DPT3 childhood immunisation; all the time high of 93%

The World Health Organization South-East Asia Region on Tuesday lauded India and other member countries for scaling up childhood immunization coverage to pre-pandemic levels.  The WHO and UNICEF estimates of national immunization coverage for 2022, released on July 19, show that India recorded 93% DPT3 coverage in 2022. The numbers surpasses the pre-pandemic all-time high of 91% in 2019, and a rapid increase from 85% recorded in 2021.

Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, (WHO South-East Asia), said that the region had the best immunization recoveries among all WHO Regions which can be majorly attributed to efforts being made by India and Indonesia. 

According to the report,

• the number of zero-dose children i.e. those that have not received even the first dose of the DPT vaccine has halved from 4.6 million in 2021 to 2.3 million in 2022.
• On the other hand, the number of partially vaccinated children, those had received at least one dose of the DPT vaccine but did not complete the primary series of 3 doses, has also reduced from 1.3 million in 2021 to 6,50,000 in 2022 – a 50% decline.
• It also called for continued intensified efforts with a focus on reaching the 2.3 million un-vaccinated and 6,50,000 partially vaccinated children.

About DPT Vaccine

DPT stands for Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis, respectively. These are serious diseases caused by bacteria. All unprotected children are susceptible to these three serious diseases. DPT can be prevented by vaccinating children. WHO recommends the first dose be administered as early as 6 weeks of age; with subsequent doses given 4-8 weeks apart, at age 10-14 weeks and 14-18 weeks. A booster dose is recommended, preferably during the second year of life. Based on local epidemiology, further booster doses may be warranted later in life. 

The third dose of diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus vaccines (DPT3) is used as a global marker to assess vaccination rates in countries.

Performance of other countries in the South-East Asia region

• The DPT3 coverage in Indonesia increased to 85%, matching that of 2019, nevertheless, the report suggested that the country witnessed one of the fastest increases from 67% in 2021.
• Both Bhutan (98% DPT3 coverage) and the Maldives (99% DPT3 coverage) outperformed their pre-pandemic immunisation rates.
• Through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, Bangladesh (98%) and Thailand (97%) have shown constancy in routine immunisation coverage.
• With 98%, 90%, and 86% coverage rates, respectively, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Timor-Leste are closer to pre-pandemic coverage rates of 99%, 93%, and 90%. 
• However, Myanmar with 71% DPT3 coverage in 2022, is far from pre-pandemic 90% coverage in 2019.

Conclusion

The WHO national immunization coverage takes into consideration the percentage of children aged 12-59 months who have received three doses of the combined diphtheria, tetanus toxoid and pertussis vaccine. Data are derived from a re-analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) micro-data. The indicator is estimated as the percentage of children ages 12–59 months who received three doses of the DPT vaccine at any time before the survey.

“Every child deserves to be protected against life-threatening diseases with routine immunization vaccines. The momentum built with impressive efforts and immunization service recoveries must continue to benefit every child for a healthy and productive life,”

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

The official noted that much has been achieved, and much needs to be done. 

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