Manila, April 24: The World Health Organization (WHO) has reiterated its call to enhance vaccination efforts in the Western Pacific region, warning of the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases.
The WHO emphasized the need to safeguard the hard-won achievements in vaccination programs, reach out to children who are still missing regular vaccinations, and maintain public confidence in vaccines at every stage of life. This information was shared in a statement from the WHO’s Western Pacific Regional Office based in Manila, Philippines.
Dr. Saya Mouton-Piukala, the Regional Director of WHO for the Western Pacific, stated, “Vaccines are a marvel of science and medicine, protecting families and communities in our region for generations. However, we cannot take this protection for granted.”
Despite these efforts, approximately 2.1 million children in the Western Pacific region missed at least one vaccine dose in 2024, putting many at risk of preventable diseases.
According to the WHO, this region, with a population of 2.2 billion, accounts for more than a quarter of the world’s total population and has made significant progress against vaccine-preventable diseases.
As reported by the Xinhua News Agency, the WHO stressed that strengthening routine vaccination systems, increasing access for underserved populations, and ensuring a reliable supply chain for vaccines are crucial to reversing this trend.
Vaccination in the Western Pacific has prevented millions of deaths and disabilities. However, unequal access to vaccinations remains a significant issue in many countries. The Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Immunization (VPI) unit aims to free this region from vaccine-preventable diseases.
This goal is being pursued by assisting member states in achieving the objectives of the Global Vaccine Action Plan’s regional implementation framework.
Vaccination targets in the Western Pacific region include maintaining polio-free status, eliminating maternal and neonatal tetanus, eradicating measles, accelerating control of hepatitis B, eliminating rubella, introducing new vaccines, achieving regional vaccination coverage goals, and intensifying control of Japanese encephalitis.
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