Source: Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Date: 25 Dec 2008
GAVI and Islamic Republic of Afghanistan invest 16.9 million USD for introduction of HIB for next year
Kabul, 25 December 2008- Ministry of public health takes another important step towards reduction of infant mortality rate by introducing the new vaccine of Heamophilus influenza type B (HIB) in the framework of EPI. Since Afghanistan is among the countries with high infant mortality rate and one of the main underlying causes of infant mortality is some preventable childhood diseases, with launching this new vaccine the number of implemented vaccines in the EPI is reaching to 8 ( other seven are Dyphtria, whooping cough, Tetanus, BCG, Polio, Hepatitis B virus measles vaccines) and will reduce the number of deaths among children
World health organization (WHO) data suggests that type B of Heamophilus influenza can create several deadly and disabling diseases in children. Besides, it is shown that administering the HIB vaccine in human beings is safe and effective.
” It is our pleasure and honor that Global Alliance for Vaccination and Immunization (GAVI) has accepted our request for including the new vaccine which will be available from 10th , January 2009 for all afghan children through routine EPI program in all health facilities. Most of health workers have undergone training about the new vaccine and how to administer it. With this new vaccine we can rescue our children from diseases such as meningitis, pneumonia, epiglottitis, osteomeylitis and epicarditis and all other HIB related diseases. Our new generation will be fortunate for having more chances of survival because MOPH could provide them with this new vaccine on time”, said Dr. S. M. A Fatimie minister of public health in his press conference today.
According to WHO each year 96000 children are affected by Heamophilus influenza with a case fatality of 15000 per year. Globally, this microbe affects 3 million children, killing 400000 child annually.
MoPH has started this imitative two years ago and last year officially it sent a request to GAVI and after accomplishing the prerequisites proposed by international organizations, it could receive the approval of GAVI for introduction of HIB vaccine in year 2009.
The prerequisites are : 1-Improving the capacity of cold chain system in Afghanistan and ; 2- contributing for paying 0.1 USD per dose (out of total 3.6 USD per dose) by afghan government.
For first prerequisite MoPH has established and equipped ten Walk-in-Cold-rooms and provided all needed instruments for all health facilities for cold chain system in all health facilities. For the second prerequisite MoPH convinced MoF to contribute 448000 USD for annual expenses of this new vaccine. The total cost of introducing HIB vaccine is 16.9 million USD, out of which 16.5 is granted by GAVI and reminder by afghan government. Out of total amount 2.1 million is spent on purchasing new and necessary equipments for cold chain system.
This vaccine is for children under one year and is administered in three doses. The first dose will be given while the child is 6 weeks old, second one on week 10 and the third on week 14th.
MoPH Afghanistan is indebted to many individuals and health stakeholders, especially Afghan families and elders, European Commission, UNICEF, WHO, the World Bank, USAID, Rotary International, CIDA, Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI Alliance) and JICA.