Thimphu, April 26, 2021:The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a knock-on effect on essential services for children, including immunization across the world.

Latest data released by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF today show that globally 37 per cent of countries reported disruptions to immunization services in the first quarter of 2021, an alarming situation threatening a devastating rise in preventable child deaths.

The global decline in immunization coverage is attributed to overburdened and shortage of health workers and health workers struggling to deliver essential services like immunizations. Even when services are provided, lockdowns, transport disruptions, or simple fear of contact with COVID-19 patients in health facilities, mean people are unable or unwilling to access them.

Amid the pandemic, Bhutan managed to continue providing routine immunization services to ensure the health of mothers and children across the country. The country achieved an immunization coverage above 95 per cent in 2020 at par with the coverage it has sustained in the past decade.

The pandemic has however, reminded the world of the power of vaccines to fight diseases, save lives, and create a healthier, safer, and more prosperous future. Today, vaccines are the best hope we have of ending this pandemic and rebuilding our lives. But for vaccines to play this role, they require investment, trust, and confidence.

As Bhutan joins the global community in observing the World Immunization Week from April 24-30, the Ministry of Health, WHO and UNICEF are working together to ensure Bhutan continues to sustain high routine immunization coverage and catch up where coverage has been affected.

The theme for this year’s world immunization week is 'Vaccines bring us closer.'

Health Secretary, Dr Pandup Tshering said that immunization is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions in reducing disability, morbidity and mortality due to vaccine preventable diseases.

“It is critically important now than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent outbreaks of other vaccine preventable diseases to prevent further strain on the health system,” the health secretary said.

UNICEF and WHO are calling on Governments and partners to work together to build confidence in vaccines – both COVID-19 and the routine immunization that saves children’s lives. This requires global and national investment, but it is also incumbent on parents and caregivers to trust health workers and heed their advice on vaccinating their children against preventable diseases.

Bhutan has managed to reduce burden of various diseases especially those affecting infants and children through its strong vaccination program over many years now. Its success with vaccination has resulted in WHO’s certification of Bhutan for various achievements such as sustaining polio-free status and the certification for elimination of neonatal tetanus, measles, and control of Hepatitis B.

WHO Representative to Bhutan Dr Rui Paulo de Jesus said, “Bhutan must continue to build on its success story and continue to maintain and enhance the immunization service to be effective, even in difficult times of COVID-19 pandemic. We should not and cannot allow additional burden of outbreaks of vaccine -preventable diseases. WHO along with its partners in immunization commits to continue our support in ensuring that the live saving immunizations services are sustained.”

UNICEF Bhutan Representative Dr Will Parks said that Bhutan has made every effort to sustain the decades of progress made on children's health during the pandemic.

“As we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, UNICEF commits to redouble our efforts by investing in health and essential services that reach all children and support the Royal Government of Bhutan sustain its impressive immunization coverage,” Dr Will Parks said. “Vaccines help in keeping families and communities safe and bring us closer to a day when we can put preventable diseases behind us.”

Bhutan’s current routine immunization schedule protects children against 13 diseases.