A regional milestone in 2024 shows South Asia achieving the highest-ever immunization coverage for children. The joint findings from the World Health Organization and UNICEF signal a turning point for the region and offer practical lessons for Thailand as it strengthens protections against vaccine-preventable diseases.
The achievement reflects a broad partnership among governments, frontline health workers, donors, and communities. Early indicators from Thailand’s health authorities echo a shared drive across South Asia—covering Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka—that lifted vaccine uptake. A UNICEF regional director calls this a proud moment, noting that more children are protected today thanks to dedicated health workers, strong leadership, and family trust.
For Thai readers, the message is twofold. First, South Asia’s success shows the power of coordinated action among health authorities and community leaders—principles that align with Thailand’s health system. Second, the gains highlight the remaining “last mile”: millions of children in rural and marginalized communities are still under- or unvaccinated, a challenge seen in Thailand’s remote northern and southern provinces.
UNICEF and the World Health Organization credit investments in primary health care, mobile vaccination teams, and intensified public awareness campaigns for the record levels. In India, a large portion of births drives the impact, with targeted efforts to address hesitancy and logistical barriers making a big difference. In Pakistan and Nepal, partnerships with civil society and local volunteers helped reach difficult regions, offering outreach models that could inform programs in Thailand’s border areas.
The drive emphasizes not only vaccination counts but also the quality of protection, ensuring children complete the full schedule of essential vaccines at the right ages. This approach has contributed to declines in measles, polio, diphtheria, and other diseases, potentially preventing tens of thousands of illnesses and deaths each year in the region.
Yet, experts caution that work remains. Millions of children are still under-vaccinated. The priority now is to extend reach, especially to rural areas, to guarantee every child access to health services early in life.
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has long maintained strong vaccination campaigns, with high regional coverage. Routine immunization faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, but South Asia’s model—trusted communities, improved logistics, and culturally tailored communications—offers timely guidance as Thailand recovers momentum, particularly for ethnic minority and migrant communities.
Thai communities share cultural threads with South Asia, including Buddhist values that emphasize compassion and collective well-being, which can strengthen vaccine acceptance. Local temples and community leaders in Thailand often serve as trusted health advocates, much like health volunteers in South Asia. Historical Thai campaigns, such as Mother and Child Health initiatives, underscore the national priority placed on child health.
Looking ahead, experts expect South Asia’s success to accelerate global progress toward Immunization Agenda 2030 targets. For Thailand, the challenge is to close gaps for the most vulnerable children by leveraging local partnerships, digital tools, and lessons from South Asia’s outreach. As infectious diseases evolve and hesitancy persists, strong and equitable immunization programs remain central to child health.
Practical actions for Thai policymakers and civil society include sustaining investment in vaccination programs, engaging community and religious leaders to build trust, using data to identify underserved groups, and expanding mobile or home-based vaccination services. Families should stay informed about vaccination schedules and consult health centers if needed.
As health workers, officials, and communities strive for every child’s right to good health, the South Asian experience offers a hopeful blueprint for Thailand and the wider region.