Monday, March 28, 2011

Immunization coverage of DPT3 reaches 80 percent in Ethiopia

(March 28, 2011, Addis Ababa, ENA)--Ethiopia has made outstanding progress in improving routine immunization coverage of Diphtheria , Pertussis and Tetanus (DPT3) to over 80 percent in 2010 from 50 percent in 2003, the Ministry of Health announced.

DPT3, three doses of vaccine against Diphtheria, Pertussis and Tetanus, is commonly used as a measure of the availability of health services. A two-day Global Colloquium organized by Sabin Vaccine Institute on Sustainable Immunization Financing opened here on Monday.

The remarkable achievement has largely been due to the huge investment by the government in the health extension program, State Minister of Health, Dr. Keseteberhan Admasu said on the occasion.

The number of health extension workers has increased to 34,000 in 2010 from 3,000 in 2004, Dr. Keseteberhan said. More than 100 health and finance representatives from 18 African, Asian and Latin American countries are taking part in the forum aimed at strengthening National Immunization Programs.

Sabin Executive Vice President, Dr. Ciro de Quadros on the occasion said effective vaccination programs contribute to healthier and more productive societies.

Immunization is one of the best investments a country can make, the vice president said. The goal of the institute is worked with each country to identify long-term sources of financing and assure a fiscally sustainable national immunization program.

World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Luis Gomes Sambo also said external funding for vaccines in the developing world is not guaranteed. Helping countries find ways to increase and sustain their national immunization budgets is a critical and necessary public health priority, the director said.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is the source of finance on the ongoing expansion of vaccines in the stated number of countries since 2007.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency

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