Japanese Encephalitis vaccination campaign achievement
Overview
The Ministry of Health and Sports with the support from development partners, WHO, UNICEF, GAVI and PATH, launched nationwide Japanese Encephalitis vaccination campaign in the last quarter of 2017. It was the second largest public health intervention in Myanmar after measles rubella vaccination campaign in 2015.
The campaign aimed to achieve rapid reductions in morbidity and mortality associated with Japanese Encephalitis by targeting age groups of children from 9 months to 15 years in 2 phases. The first phase covered all 5 to 15 years children in schools (November 15-23, 2017). The second phase covered 9 months to 5 years children in the community (December 11-20, 2017).
The advocacy was conducted in all States and Regions with stakeholders before the campaign. The WHO prequalified vaccine was used in the campaign. During the campaign, 12.58 million children were vaccinated against targeted 13.6 million children, resulting in nationwide coverage of 92.5%.
The campaign was very successful with the efforts of health staff at all levels and active engagement of local leaders and volunteers. The success of the campaign was followed by introduction of JE vaccine into the national vaccination calendar, from January 2018 onwards.
Key facts
12.58 million children were vaccinated against targeted 13.6 million children, resulting in nationwide coverage of 92.5%.