The 2025 Annual Meeting of the South-East Asia Regional Working Group on Immunization (RWG) was held in New Delhi, India, from July 7 to 9. This event brought together over 70 participants from nine countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Sri Lanka, in a hybrid format. Key partners such as WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi also took part in the discussions.
Key Focus Areas
The meeting centered on several critical health challenges and strategic goals for immunization in the region:
- Reviewing progress towards the Regional Vaccine Implementation Plan (2022–2026).
- Addressing persistent immunization gaps.
- Adapting to evolving funding constraints, particularly those related to Gavi’s new Strategy 6.0.
- Responding to a rise in zero-dose children, which climbed to 2.72 million in 2023.
- Managing significant measles outbreaks in several countries.
Contributions from Partners
UNICEF highlighted efforts in demand generation and sustainable financing to support immunization programs. Meanwhile, Gavi focused on the themes of equity and innovation despite facing a substantial funding gap of $2.9 billion. Delegates also discussed challenges involving:
- Vaccine hesitancy
- Funding shortages
- The need for strengthened surveillance and digital transformation
Decisions and Future Plans
The RWG adopted updated terms of reference to boost coordination and partner engagement. Additionally, a consolidated workplan was outlined to:
- Strengthen immunization programs
- Enhance health systems
- Promote cross-border collaboration
This landmark gathering highlights the commitment of South-East Asian countries and their partners to protect every mother and child through resilient immunization systems, despite ongoing global health challenges. The collective efforts aim to sustain and accelerate progress in vaccine coverage and disease prevention.
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