Measles outbreaks, immunity gaps among children and adolescents concerning: WHO

The WHO SouthEast Asia Region despite recording the worlds highest childhood immunisation coverage continues to face measles and other vaccinepreventable disease outbreaks due to persistent immunity gaps among children and adolescents health experts saidThe issue was discussed at the 17th meeting of the WHO SouthEast Asia Regional Immunisation Technical Advisory Group SEAR ITAG in Delhi attended by around 120 experts Member State representatives and other stakeholdersWHO SouthEast Asia Region OfficerinCharge Dr Nilesh Buddha stressed the need to strengthen monitoring surveillance and use of local data to identify and close immunity gapsProgress must not become complacency Sustaining high immunisation coverage requires strong monitoring timely use of local data and rigorous programme review We need to close the immunity gaps strengthen surveillance and ensure that every child and every community is reached with lifesaving vaccines said Dr Nilesh Buddha OfficerinCharge WHO SouthEast Asia Region in his inaugural address to the 17th meeting of the WHO SouthEast Asia Regional Immunisation Technical Advisory Group SEAR ITAGThe SEAR ITAG Chair Professor Rakesh Aggarwal noted that immunisation coverage at the national level alone may not reflect gaps in subnational and hardtoreach communitiesHe emphasised the need for local data and epidemiological evidence to guide targeted immunisation efforts and ensure that vulnerable populations are reachedAccording to WHO the region recorded 94 per cent coverage with the third dose of the routine diphtheria tetanus and pertussis DTP3 vaccine in 2025 the highest globallyThe number of zerodose children in the region has declined by 65 per cent since 2021 while the number of unvaccinated and undervaccinated children fell from an estimated 45 million in 2019 to 2 million in 2025However vaccination gaps persist both between and within countries leaving pockets of susceptible populations and contributing to outbreaksMeasles remains a particular concern with immunity gaps among older children and adolescents driving current transmission and outbreaks according to the WHOThe region has also fallen behind its measles elimination trajectory with only four of its 10 member states having achieved measles elimination In comparison seven member states have achieved rubella eliminationAdditionally experts are reviewing progress under the Regional Vaccine Implementation Plan RVIP 202226 which focuses on equitable access to vaccines control and elimination of vaccinepreventable diseases and reducing related morbidity and mortality across the lifecourseThe meeting is also examining childhood and adolescent vaccination including HPV immunisationHPV vaccination coverage in the region stood at 7 per cent in 2025 while the region has set a target of reaching 48 per cent coverage in 2026The advisory group is also reviewing the prioritisation and introduction of new and underutilised vaccines including typhoid conjugate pneumococcal conjugate and rotavirus vaccinesThe threeday meeting which began on Wednesday is also discussing sustainable immunisation financing workforce capacity surveillance and laboratory systems immunisation information systems vaccine hesitancy and misinformationExperts will also examine the impact of climate change urbanisation migration and humanitarian emergencies on immunisation programmesThe group is expected to guide priorities for the next regional vaccine implementation plan beyond 2026 including accelerating measles and rubella elimination reducing outbreak risks strengthening domestic financing and partnerships and sustaining surveillance for vaccinepreventable diseasesThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever