52 countries falling short on immunization goal for DPT
Reaching the year 2000 goal of 90% immunization levels is a major challenge
for many countries. At least 52 countries with populations of more than
1 million are unlikely to meet the goal of immunizing all children under
the age of 1 against DPT (diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus). From 1980
to 1990, developing countries accomplished extraordinary gains for child
health by raising immunization rates for DPT, as well as measles, polio
and tuberculosis, from about 30% to an average of 80%.
Sub-Saharan Africa faces the greatest difficulties, with 31 countries
projected to fall short of the DPT immunization goal. Angola, Central African
Republic and Chad could have DPT immunization rates of less than 20% in
the year 2000 unless they are able to reverse current trends. Countries
in other regions with low projected rates include Haiti, Nepal, Pakistan,
Papua New Guinea and Yemen. Immunization data are a basic child health
indicator, but seven industrialized countries have inadequate data: Australia,
Austria, France, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand and Switzerland. Most of the
other industrialized countries are projected to attain DPT (or DT only)
immunization levels of at least 85%.
|
| Rwanda: Projected to achieve 39% immunization
rate by the year 2000. |
Despite concern that commitment to immunization might waver after the
1990 achievement, 90 countries are on track towards the year 2000 goal,
based on their 1990 to 1995 performance. Current levels of DPT immunization
save the lives of more than 1 million children each year.
Immunizing
for the year 2000
Countries unlikely to meet the goal of 90% coverage of DPT by the
year 2000
Projected immunization rate by the year 2000
Sub-Saharan Africa
| Zimbabwe |
82 |
| South Africa |
80 |
| Kenya |
79 |
| Botswana |
71 |
| Zambia |
66 |
| Malawi |
65 |
| Liberia |
64 |
| Senegal |
62 |
| Ethiopia |
59 |
| Côte d'Ivoire |
56 |
| Ghana |
53 |
| Togo |
50 |
| Mali |
48 |
| Burundi |
46 |
| Eritrea |
46 |
| Mozambique |
46 |
| Lesotho |
44 |
| Gabon |
40 |
| Rwanda |
39 |
| Uganda |
39 |
| Cameroon |
38 |
| Somalia |
38 |
| Congo |
32 |
| Nigeria |
31 |
| Niger |
28 |
| Burkina Faso |
27 |
| Sierra Leone |
22 |
| Congo, D. Rep. |
21 |
| Angola |
19 |
| C. African Rep. |
18 |
| Chad |
14 |
Middle East and
North Africa
| Sudan |
81 |
| Yemen |
15 |
Central Asia
| Turkmenistan |
81 |
| Kyrgyzstan |
68 |
| Afghanistan |
67 |
| Georgia |
49 |
East/South Asia
and Pacific
| Philippines |
81 |
| Myanmar |
75 |
| Bangladesh |
62 |
| Nepal |
47 |
| PNG* |
36 |
| Pakistan |
13 |
Americas
| Uruguay |
84 |
| Brazil |
81 |
| Paraguay |
80 |
| Costa Rica |
76 |
| Venezuela |
72 |
| Haiti |
28 |
Europe
| TFYR Macedonia |
82 |
| Bosnia/Herzegovina |
78 |
| Latvia |
50 |
*Papua New Guinea
Sources: WHO and UNICEF,
unpublished data for 1990 and 1995. |
|