Thousands of 12-23 month olds deprived of vaccines. According to the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey-2022 conducted by the Ministry of Health and Population, at least 4% of children aged 12 to 23 months had not got any immunization.
This proportion was only 1% in 2016, and the quick increase in the number of unvaccinated children poses a severe threat to the country’s overall successes in immunization over the years, according to child health specialists.
“This is concerning,” said Dr. Jhalak Gautam, former chief of the Immunisation Section at the Department of Health Services’ Family Welfare Division. “We are at risk of several vaccine-preventable disease epidemics.” All of our advances in child health are jeopardized.”
According to health officials, over 600,000 babies are born in Nepal each year, with almost 24,000 of them without receiving any immunization. Thousands of 12-23 month olds deprived of vaccines.
The nationwide survey, conducted between January 5 and June 22 of this year with technical and financial support from the US Agency for International Development, also reveals that just 80% of children aged 12 to 23 months are fully immunized with basic antigens.
According to the data, slightly more than half of children aged 12-23 months (52 percent) are fully vaccinated according to the national schedule.
Through the national immunization program, the government distributes 13 different types of immunizations.
Previously, the program only had 11 antigens. Rotavirus and typhoid vaccines were later added to the standard immunization list by the Ministry of Health and Population. Across the country, there are over 16,000 immunization clinics.
The percentage of children aged 12-23 months who have been fully vaccinated (got all basic antigens) has fluctuated over time, going from 43 percent in 1996 to a high of 87 percent in 2011, then falling to 78 percent in 2016, and climbing slightly to 80 percent in 2022.
Immunization is the most cost-effective and efficient strategy to control and eliminate vaccine-preventable diseases that cause illnesses and deaths in children.
