This year, Brunei Darussalam, once again alongside other member countries of the World Health Organization (WHO), observes World Immunisation Week, celebrated annually from April 24 to 30, said Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar in a message in conjunction with World Immunisation Week 2024.
The minister explained that the World Immunisation Week serves to remind the public of the role vaccines play in saving lives and protecting people of all ages from diseases and disabilities.
The theme for World Immunisation Week this year is ‘Humanly Possible’, serving as a reminder of the progress humanity has achieved in safeguarding global health through vaccines to prevent diseases.
The minister shared the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) is an initiative launched by the WHO in 1974, as a global effort to ensure equitable access to life-saving vaccines for every child, regardless of their geographical location or socioeconomic status.
This year marks the 50th series of the programme, where its achievements and impact on lives saved through routine immunisation over the past 50 years serve as a reminder to the public of the benefits of immunisation programmes as a cost-effective and crucial public health intervention in protecting populations from infectious diseases.
“Through continuous commitment from the Government of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the National EPI of Brunei Darussalam has successfully contributed to the country’s status. Brunei Darussalam has been declared free from Malaria by the WHO in 1987; free from Polio in 2000, free from Measles in 2015, and free from Rubella in 2018,” said the minister.
“Alhamdulillah, in Brunei Darussalam, we are very fortunate because all citizens and residents of this country receive vaccination services from the government of His Majesty through the Ministry of Health (MoH). The National Childhood Immunisation Programme of Brunei Darussalam has achieved and maintained childhood immunisation coverage rates exceeding 95 per cent annually. This achievement demonstrates that the National EPI and vaccination initiatives in this country are effective and crucial in providing early protection or prevention not only to an individual but also to those around them such as family members and the community,” said the minister.
However, the minister continued to state that behind the success of the EPI at the global level, challenges still persist in access to and uptake of vaccines, which can threaten the health and well-being of millions of people, especially in communities with limited access to medical services.
“In commemorating World Immunisation Week 2024, the MoH remains committed and strives to further strengthen immunisation services in Brunei Darussalam for its entire population, encompassing all age groups, and ensuring that the impact of vaccines continues to bring us closer to a world free from preventable diseases,” said the minister. – Adib Noor
