On a splendid day in the bustling city of Bangkok, the National Vaccine Institute (NVI) of Thailand, in spectacular collaboration with a myriad of health juggernauts from government and private sectors alike, as well as the top echelon of medical savants, came together with an unyielding resolve to bolster the nation’s health defenses through the powerful shield of immunization. The crusade to bring about a considerable plunge in both the morbidity and mortality rates amongst the Thai populace has been gathering steam, with every faction playing its part in this epic effort to uphold public health serenity.
The World Immunization Day of 2023 served as a picturesque backdrop to a press conference that buzzed with the theme “Together, Increase Immunity and Prevention Against Diseases: Lifetime Immunization when Vaccine is Important to Everyone.” This press event, a coalition of vision and expertise, witnessed the melding of efforts from the NVI, the Vaccine for People Foundation, the WHO’s Representative to Thailand, the Department of Disease Control (DDC), and numerous other champions from both the public and the private realm to champion the cause of lifetime immunization.
Gathered under the grandiose chandeliers of the Mandarin Hotel Bangkok on November 10, 2023, Dr. Manit Theeratantikanont, the esteemed President of the Vaccine for People Foundation, took to the stage. His speech was nothing less than inspiring, enkindling the significance of World Immunization Day like a torchbearer for health. His message was clear: through the concerted actions of health activities planned throughout the year, no stone would be left unturned in ensuring that every soul in Thailand, young and old, is well-armored against the onslaught of diseases through the vigilant administration of vaccines. This vision is harmoniously in sync with the grand strategy of buffing up immunization functions to meet the lofty goals set by the World Vaccine Action Plan come 2030.
The Deputy Director of NVI, Dr. Sunate Cheunkitmongkol, in an address marked by both gravity and grace, shed light on the fact that despite triumphs in global immunization, Thailand is still grappling with the Gordian knot of achieving full vaccine coverage, taming sporadic blitzes of vaccine-preventable ailments like measles, and the sly specter of vaccine hesitancy. The call to arms was straightforward—formidable cooperation across sectors, the impeccable dissemination of facts by experts, and the broadening of communication channels are imperative to intercept and neutralize any chance of a vaccination opportunity slipping through the cracks. This multidimensional battle plan is key to slashing the toll of severe sickness and fatalities from vaccine-preventable diseases within the Thai demographic.
From the vantage point of the World Health Organization, Dr. Jos Vandelaer, spoke with a sense of urgency on the setbacks brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. A troubling tableau emerged, with many—from infants to elders—missing out on critical vaccines against a notorious lineup that includes polio, tetanus, cervical cancer, and measles. To counter this, the Thai Ministry of Public Health deployed “The Big Catch Up,” a project serving as a reminder and a promise that vaccines stand as a bulwark, offering a fortress of protection from maladies and deaths, for every age bracket.
Further elaboration on the timely topic of immunization progress was offered by Dr. Sophon Iamsirithaworn, the Deputy Director-General of the DDC. He spotlighted the “Big Catch Up” campaign’s progress, its focus sharpened on the areas draped in vaccine scarceness. Alongside, a cavalry charge has been directed at cervical cancer, with a mission to shield a million girls within the age bastion of 11-20 in a 100-day sprint. It’s a charge that necessitates lining up an impressive league of 13 agencies to accelerate the vaccination campaign to warp speed.
Adding to the clarion call, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Piroon Mootsikapun, President of The Infectious Disease Association of Thailand, took a stand on amplifying disease immunity, especially among the senior citizens. With the Ministry of Public Health in alliance, a beacon of hope is alight to pave the way for easy vaccine access. In the face of menacing flare-ups of influenza, dengue fever, and shingles, vaccinations are hailed as the patriots that staunchly diminish illness and death.
Representing the pint-sized populace, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tawee Chotpitayasunondh, on behalf of the Paediatric Infectious Diseases Society of Thailand, emphasized vaccines’ vital role for the fortress-like protection they offer. He draws a fine line—possessing a vaccine is remarkably distinct from actually receiving it. In a rallying cry, he accentuated how imparting knowledge and training to paediatricians coupled with sagacious advice to the Ministry of Public Health could turn the tide against infectious diseases.
Meanwhile, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Surasit Chaithongwongwattana, presented the view from the Royal Thai College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists with a laser focus on advancing women’s health. He shed light on their mission to offer up vaccines to a wider swath of womankind, sculpting vaccine recommendations tailored to the very bloodstream of different female demographics, founded on leading-edge medical insights, epidemiological data, and health economy.
Speaking to the heart of reproductive well-being, they marked out two pivotal vaccine stations: one being the young teenagers pre-pregnancy, urged to queue up for vaccines like the cervical cancer jab to sidestep long-term health calamities; the second pinpointing pregnant mothers, who must hoist the shield of vaccines to fend off infections threatening both their life and that of their unborn child. It’s a golden rule: always seek the sage counsel of your physician pre-vaccine.
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