Due to the COVID-19 outbreak and continuous political unrest, Myanmar’s healthcare system has been severely strained. In spite of these challenges, a number of ongoing immunization programs are significantly improving public health while the prevalence of certain diseases heightens.

In an attempt by the UN and its allies to expedite the provision of COVID-19 vaccinations, the COVAX facility has tentatively allotted 6.2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines for use in Myanmar during the pandemic. Approximately 1.2 million children in Myanmar got zero doses in 2021, mostly due to interruptions in healthcare services. However, by 2022, a multimodal immunization effort had decreased this figure by three times. With the use of data-driven tactics, this campaign—which was backed by WHO, UNICEF, and GAVI—was able to raise Penta 3 vaccination coverage from 37% to 71% by reaching even the most distant and vulnerable people. As seemingly alarming as COVID was, seasonal diseases remain an inevitable aspect of Myanmar in addition to the notorious coronavirus. Below are 4 of Myanmar’s vaccination routines for widespread diseases:

1. Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis 

The Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis is known as a combination vaccine to protect against whooping cough, tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenza type BAfter three vaccination shots, a child is deemed to be fully protected against whooping cough, diphtheria, and tetanus (DPT). In Myanmar, the number of 12- to 23-month-old children who have had a DPT vaccination has climbed by 34 percentage points to 91.89 percent as of 2022. Concurrently, children are vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP-HepB-Hib) at two, four, and six months of age. 

2. Rotarix®

According to the WHO, the major cause of severe diarrhea in children under five years old is rotavirus, which kills over 453,000 children worldwide each year. Almost all children in Myanmar contract the rotavirus at least twice before they turn five. At the moment, rotavirus is responsible for 35 to 60% of severe diarrhea cases in children younger than a year old. The most efficient method of avoiding severe diarrhea caused by rotavirus type B is to provide vaccination. Currently used in 96 countries, rotavirus vaccinations include the Rotarix® vaccine, which is scheduled to be delivered in Myanmar. Additionally, this vaccine has been prequalified by the WHO.

3. Measles-Mump Rubella-Vaccines

In Myanmar, the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine plays a crucial role in public health by preventing three serious and contagious diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella. These diseases can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, and birth defects, particularly in unvaccinated populations. The vaccine is a part of the nation’s Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), which attempts to lower the incidence of illnesses that may be prevented by immunization and raise vaccination coverage. A report by Zaw claims that over the past ten years, coverage rates for the MMR vaccination have improved in Myanmar, a country that has effectively included the vaccine in its immunization schedule.

4. Cholera 

The bacterium Vibrio cholerae is the source of the acute diarrheal illness known as cholera. In Myanmar, cholera is especially endemic in crowded and underdeveloped regions. The Myanmar Ministry of Health and Sports, in collaboration with international organizations such as WHO and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), has implemented large-scale vaccination campaigns targeting high-risk populations. 

These vaccines are among the multitude of vaccination campaigns implemented in Myanmar yet they prevail as a beacon of hope to both the privileged and the underprivileged. They serve to both lessen the effects of illnesses that can be prevented and to emphasize the need for comprehensive but flexible public health initiatives. Building on these achievements and guaranteeing a better future for all citizens of Myanmar would need continued support from foreign partners, upgraded healthcare facilities, and public health initiatives.

Works Cited

Khin, M. M., Thaung, M., and Phyu, M. T. “Cholera Outbreaks and Vaccination Campaigns

in Myanmar.” Global Health Action, vol. 10, no. 1, 2017, article 1289874.

“Burma (Myanmar) | CDC Yellow Book 2024.” CDC.gov, wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2024/itineraries/burma-myanmar. 

https://www.unicef.org/myanmar/press-releases/joint-statement-gavi-unicef-and-who-efforts-accelerate-covid-vaccine-availability

https://www.unicef.org/myanmar/press-releases/immunization-programme-include-rotavirus-and-fourth-diphtheria-tetanus-vaccinations