EPI/UCI in Vietnam A Case Study of a Successful Program in Child Health and Survival

Abstract

In 1981 Viet Nam began its Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) which really expanded after December 1985. The Ministry of Health (MOH) instituted a regular vaccination period each month (day 25 through day 30) and a campaign once a month from October to January. Political leaders from all levels were involved in promoting immunization. Most areas had steering committees. Each committee was responsible for a vaccination area or center. Members of the steering committee of Thai Binh Province each had a part in promoting immunization. For example a Catholic priest mobilized religious leaders to promote immunization among mothers. The Mothers Union representative motivated the Union to conduct health education. The Cultural Information Officer directed cinema mobile teams to show films on health education before the main feature and actors to perform plays addressing immunization. A health center in Thai Binh Province had set a target for a day of immunizing 58 infants for different vaccination stages and of vaccinating 23 pregnant women with the tetanus toxoid. Intensive training for vaccinators espoused the child one properly sterilized syringe and needle procedure since 1988. By March 1989 it was close to reaching its immunization target of 80% of less than 1-year old children. Specifically the MOH claimed final immunization coverage to be 75% for BCG 70% for poliomyelitis and for diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus 66% for measles and 63% of children were fully immunized. A June-July 1989 national immunization coverage survey reported figures to be 80% 67% 71% 69% and 50% respectively. Considerable financial and logistics input beginning in 1990 strengthened the cold chain and supplies resulting in a large increase in immunization coverage of all infants. This increase boosted national immunization coverage from 60% to 80% in just 6 months. Viet Nam one of the poorest countries in the world was able to achieve EPI goals in less than 10 years indicating a remarkable feat.