PREPARATORY WORK DONE IN ARMENIA TO INTRODUCE 5-VALENT VACCINE IN IMMUNO PREVENTION

Noyan Tapan
Feb 26 2007

YEREVAN, FERUARY 26, NOYAN TAPAN. Although the vaccination level is
quite high in Armenia – 92%, the problem of carrying out vaccinations
on time exists. Head of the RA Immuno Prevention National Program
Gayane Sahakian told NT correspondent that in accordance with the
national vaccination program, during the first 12 months of life,
a child must be vaccinated against tuberculosis, diphteria, whooping
cough, tetanus, measles, German measles, mumps, hepatitis B, as well
as receive a polio vaccination. G. Sahakian said that in early 2007,
a new system of reports on timely vaccination of children up to one
year was introduced: now analyses and monitoring will be implemented
each quarter, which will enable to reveal the reasons of not doing
vacciantion on time. According to G. Sahakian, work is being done to
introduce in Armenia a 5-valent vaccine of the GAVI (Global Alliance
for Vaccines and Immunization) international fund – a vaccine against
diphteria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B and hib (haemophilus
influenza, type B). Hib is a pathogene causing pneumonia, and it is for
the first time that vaccination against it will be done in Armenia. The
national program head said that cases of children’s pneumonia were
reduced by over 50% in the countries where the 5-valent vaccine of
GAVI has been used. She noted that RA state budgetary allocations
for obtaining vaccines are increasing year by year. In 2006, 45
mln drams (about 125 thousand USD) was allocated for this purpose,
while in 2007 – 72 mln drams. At present, the polio vaccine and the
3-valent vaccine against diphteria, whooping cough and tetanus are
purchased with state budgetary resources, while the other vaccines –
with co-financing of a number of international organizations.