In response to our citizens’ demands and to give impetus to their wishes, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has announced that childhood vaccines are available in all health centers daily, instead of two days only per week. Earlier, MOH stressed a global shortage in all vaccines, including Hepatitis A. Yet, MOH spares no effort to ensure their availability.
MOH has noted a decline in some vaccine-targeted illnesses, due to over 90% immunization coverage since the inception of extended immunization program. Also, nubella – known as German measles – has recorded a noticeable decline as a result of effective coverage with basic vaccines, in addition to vaccination campaigns against measles, nubella and mumps.
According to MOH, infants have been targeted with three doses of vaccines against whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus, Haemophilus influenzae, HBV and polio. The third basic dose – held by WHO as a success indicator for immunization coverage programs, reached 98.3% of target infants; in addition to WHO’s indicator for the first dose of triple viral vaccine (measles, mumps and nubella) which covered 97.6% of target infants.
This is part of MOH’s efforts in line with the royal leave to make public health a policy and a priority in all laws and regulations to combat diseases and ensure their prevention. This will reduce the burden of disease, and will require action by all government agencies to secure the desired goal; so that health becomes a priority at all levels.