During the launch of vaccination week, Dr Anshu Banerjee emphasized the need for strong commitment from all partners to reach and vaccinate all children in Sudan.30 April 2012 – All states in Sudan participated in this year's Vaccination Week from 24 April to 30 April. The regional theme this year was “Reaching every community”.
A variety of activities including workshops, training sessions, social mobilization, exhibitions and media events addressed a wide range of vaccine-related issues.
Vaccination services tracked unvaccinated people and implemented large-scale vaccination campaigns in order to reach every community in Sudan.
Vaccination Week is as an opportunity to re-affirm political commitment and increase awareness of the importance of immunization.
Vaccination is one of the most cost-effective health interventions and ensures good health. This has been demonstrated in Sudan in the reduction of child deaths.
Currently, more people are being reached with more and newer vaccines. Sudan has maintained an immunization coverage of 93% for pentavalent vaccine, 80% for measles vaccine and rotavirus vaccine, introduced in 2011.
This high routine coverage rate has contributed to maintaining Sudan's polio-free status for three consecutive years. However, Sudan remains at risk as neighbouring countries are still reporting poliomyelitis (polio) cases.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and donors, UNICEF and WHO are working to ensure that no child should die from a vaccine-preventable disease. Donors include the American Red Cross, Canada, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), GAVI Alliance, Japan, Norway, Rotary, Saudi Arabia, UK's Department for International Development (DFID) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
