National Immunization Program

 

 National Immunization Program (According to Annual Report 2075/76, DoHS, Nepal)

Ø 1974 AD, WHO launched EPI program (World).

Ø 1977 AD, EPI launched in Nepal with 4 antigens (BCG and DPT) in 3 districts

Ø 1988 AD: EPI was expanded in 75 districts with 4 antigens (BCG, DPT, OPV and Measles).

Ø 2002 AD: TT campaign initiated.

Ø 2003 AD (2061/62 BS): Hepatitis B is placed in immunization to all 75 districts of Nepal.

Ø 2004 AD (2062/63 BS): Hepatitis B is added in DPT & became Tetravalent.

Ø 2003 AD: Measles and tetanus surveillance integrated in AFP network. 

Ø 2003/04: Acute Encephalitis Syndrome Surveillance was initiated.

Ø 2004 AD: Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) system started with 31 sites.

Ø 2005 AD: School immunization program was initiated in with TT with 8 districts for grades 1, 2, 3.

Ø 2005 AD: Nepal achieved Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination (MNTE) .

Ø 2009 AD: JE vaccine was introduced in routine immunization schedule in 16 districts & expanded to 75 districts in Shrawan 2073 BS.

Ø In 2066 Baisakh (2009 AD), H. Influenza type b vaccine was introduced in 25 districts & expanded to 75 districts in Shrawan 2066 BS.

Ø 30 August 2010: last case of Wild Polio virus was detected in Rautahat in 22 month of child.

Ø Nepal is polio free country since August 2010 AD but WHO declared Nepal as polio free country in 27 March 2014.

Ø December 2015 AD: HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) piloted in Chitawan and Kaski districts.

Ø The NIP has cMYP (Comprehensive Multi Year Plan) 2017-2021- third & latest, 2011-2017- second, 2007-2011-first.

Ø 17 April 2016 (5 Baisakh 2073): bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV- P1 and P3) from trivalent oral polio vaccine (tOPV- P1,P2 and P3).

Ø WHO declared the 11 countries of South East Asia including Nepal as polio free country in 27 March 2014. Other countries are India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Korea, Myanmar, Thailand and Timor-leste.

Ø Nepal has adopted End game strategy (2014-2018) for polio eradication by 2018.

Ø Measles elimination and rubella  & congenital rubella syndrome control is targeted by 2019 AD.

Ø 2019 AD: IPV changed into fIPV (plan in 2018 AD).

Ø 2019 AD: Rota vaccine is added in routine immunization.

Ø Regional Health Directorate (RHD) acts as facilitator between central and districts levels.

Ø APF (Acute Flaccid Paralysis) surveillance system is supported by WHO/IPD.

Ø Goal : to reduce child mortality , morbidity and disability associated with vaccine- preventable diseases

Ø Objectives:

1.    Achieve and maintain at least 90% vaccination coverage for all antigens at national and district level by 2016.

2.    Ensure access to vaccines of assured quality and with appropriate waste management

3.    Achieve and maintain polio free status

4.    Maintain Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus elimination status

5.    Initiate measles elimination

6.    Accelerate control of  vaccine preventable disease through introduction of new and underused vaccines

7.    Strengthen and expand VPD surveillance

8.    Continue to expand immunization beyond infancy