Ha Noi (VNA) - Viet Nam has done a great job in expanded immunisation and the World Health Organisation (WHO) will continue helping the country constantly set a bright example in this regard, affirmed Hans Troedsson, WHO Representative in Viet Nam.
The WHO official made the statement at a national conference held by the Health Ministry in Ha Noi on Feb. 7 to review the expanded immunisation programme for 2006 and discuss a plan for 2007.
According to Hans Troedsson, the absence of polio over the past six years and the elimination of tetanus in the past year, together with the plan to eradicate measles by 2010, 10 years ahead of other regional countries, are Viet Nam's marked achievements in expanded immunisation. The achievements are not only an essential part of the Millennium Goals but also contribute to the global goal of better health for children.
Last year, 2006, was the 14th consecutive year Viet Nam accomplishes the target of vaccinating over 92 percent of children under a year old against all infections as required by the expanded immunisation programme. The country has also contained diphtheria among children, reduced the number of kids contracting the whooping cough disease with no deaths reported.
However, Mr. Do Si Hien, Director of the National Expanded Immunisation Programme, noted that the immunisation work and disease monitoring should be promoted while a strategy against rubella should be mapped out as the disease is likely to develop in coming years.
Hien said that this year, the State will spend 120 billion VND on expanded immunisation. To help the effort, a number of international health organisations will also provide Hib and measles vaccines and technical equipment for Viet Nam.
In 2007, Viet Nam plans to set up a system to monitor biological reactions by innoculated kids, ensure safety in vaccination, and develop the domestic production of vaccines, particularly hepatitis B vaccine, and cylinders and needles for the immunisation programme.-Enditem
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