Remarks by the UNICEF Representative in Tajikistan, Arthur van Diesen
On the occasion of the World Immunization Week
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- English
- Тоҷикӣ
Excellencies, colleagues, distinguished guests,
First, I would like to congratulate you all on the launch of the World Immunization Week.
In 2024, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI). This milestone represents five decades of commitment to protecting the world's children, from vaccine-preventable diseases. Since its inception in 1974, the EPI has been a beacon of hope, saving countless lives, reducing morbidity and mortality, and improving the health and well-being of communities around the world.
Under this year’s theme "Humanly Possible", we gather here today to reflect on our collective efforts - the tireless work of health workers, the unwavering support of national governments globally, and the collaborative efforts of development partners. Together, we strive to ensure that every child - regardless of their circumstances - has access to life-saving vaccines.
Vaccination is the cornerstone of children's health, providing a protective shield against a wide range of preventable diseases.
In Tajikistan, I can tell many stories of how vaccines have saved children's lives, but one that really touched my heart was that of two-year-old twins, Fotima and Zuhra, who received their polio vaccine in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.There's no doubt that this was a life-saving intervention for these children, protecting them from the devastating effects of the polio virus. They are now happy and healthy and able to grow and develop normally, as all children have the right to do thanks to effective immunisation interventions.
In 1990, Tajikistan had a high under-five mortality rate of 105 deaths per 1,000 live births. By 2017, in large part due to EPI, this rate had fallen significantly to 34 deaths per 1,000 live births. Over the past three decades, Tajikistan has made great strides in child immunization. In 2023 over 96 per cent of children under 12 months of age were immunised.
Therefore, not only do vaccines save lives, but also contribute to the overall prosperity and health of our societies. Today, we celebrate the eradication of smallpox, the triumph over polio and the remarkable reduction in child mortality - all made possible by Government’s commitment to the EPI over several decades. In the last three years, we have successfully interrupted outbreaks from polio and measles, and the high coverage levels achieved with the COVID-19 vaccination efforts no doubt contributed massively to the early success with the pandemic control in Tajikistan.
Allow me therefore to express my deep gratitude and admiration to all our medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and vaccinators, backed by the committed support of government agencies and the effective collaboration of development partners including UNICEF, WHO, GAVI, the European Union, the Government of Japan, and the World Bank.
However, despite our progress, challenges remain and gaps in immunization coverage persist. Given high levels of vaccine hesitancy worldwide, there is an ever-present risk of many children being left behind.
Community vaccine hesitancy, particularly in urban areas, logistical constraints, and inadequate infrastructure compound these challenges and highlight the urgent need for further action, and increased campaigns to promote positive behaviour change and address vaccine hesitancy amongst parents and caregivers. Moreover, we should continue to carefully monitor and be vigilant against any renewed outbreaks of the COVID-19 and potentially new pandemics in Tajikistan and be prepared to counter them. Vaccines remain an effective tool in this regard, with opportunities to continually expand the options available in the national vaccination calendar to the population, with proven existing vaccines like Covid-19, or ‘new’ vaccines like the HPV vaccine.
Today, I call on each of you to join forces to address these gaps and defend and strengthen our immunization programme. Let us reaffirm our commitment to equitable access to vaccines for all children, regardless of their geographical location or socio-economic background. Let us engage communities, build trust, and empower families to make informed decisions about immunization.
As we celebrate World Immunization Week, let us reaffirm our commitment to a world where no child is left behind and where vaccines are not just a privilege - but a fundamental right.
Thank You.