India, Sep 25 : Health experts from WHO South-East Asia member countries have called for stronger immunisation efforts to close immunity gaps and prevent further outbreaks of measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
The issue was discussed at a regional meeting of immunisation experts held on September 24, with health officials focusing on the need to strengthen vaccination coverage, improve disease surveillance and ensure that children who have missed routine doses are reached. The meeting comes amid concerns over measles outbreaks and declining immunity levels in some communities across the region.
Measles remains one of the most contagious infectious diseases, making high vaccination coverage essential for preventing sustained transmission. Even relatively small gaps in population immunity can allow the virus to spread rapidly, particularly among children who have not received the recommended doses.
The WHO South-East Asia Regional Office said the meeting provided an opportunity for countries to review outbreak trends, identify immunity gaps and discuss measures to protect hard-won gains in controlling vaccine-preventable diseases.
The discussions come at a time when health systems across the region are attempting to maintain routine immunisation while responding to outbreaks and other public-health emergencies. Maintaining regular childhood vaccination programmes is particularly important because disruptions can leave groups of children without protection.
Health authorities have increasingly emphasised the need to identify children who are missed by routine immunisation services. Such children may live in remote areas, move frequently with their families or face barriers that prevent them from reaching healthcare facilities.
Improving vaccination coverage therefore requires more than increasing the availability of vaccines. Health workers also need reliable information about communities with low coverage, effective systems for tracking missed doses and outreach programmes capable of reaching vulnerable populations.
Disease surveillance is another important component of the regional response. Early identification of suspected measles cases allows health authorities to investigate infections, trace contacts and introduce appropriate public-health measures before transmission becomes widespread.
The WHO has continued to support countries in strengthening surveillance systems and laboratory capacity for vaccine-preventable diseases. In India, for example, WHO has supported national public-health surveillance and laboratory work, including efforts related to poliovirus detection and maintaining the country’s polio-free status.
The regional meeting also highlights the connection between immunisation and broader health-system resilience. Vaccination programmes depend on trained healthcare workers, reliable supply chains, functioning laboratories, community engagement and accurate health information.
When any part of this system is weakened, vaccination coverage can fall. This can create immunity gaps that may remain unnoticed until an outbreak occurs.
Measles is particularly important because of its high transmissibility. The disease can cause serious complications, especially among young children and people with weakened immune systems. Preventing infection through vaccination therefore remains a key public-health strategy.
Health officials are also paying attention to misinformation and vaccine hesitancy. Confusion about vaccine safety, incorrect information circulated online and concerns about side effects can influence whether families seek immunisation.
Public-health authorities have stressed the importance of providing communities with accurate and understandable information. Healthcare workers can play a central role by explaining vaccination schedules, addressing concerns and helping parents understand the importance of completing recommended doses.
The timing of the WHO meeting is significant because countries in South-East Asia have made substantial progress in controlling several vaccine-preventable diseases. Protecting these achievements requires continued attention even when disease levels appear low.
A decline in reported cases can sometimes create a false sense of security, leading to lower demand for vaccination or reduced attention to surveillance. Health authorities therefore need to maintain programmes even when outbreaks are not immediately visible.
Routine immunisation remains one of the most effective ways to protect children against serious infectious diseases. It also provides community-level protection by reducing the number of people who can become infected and transmit a virus.
For countries dealing with uneven healthcare access, reaching every child can be challenging. Remote communities may face transportation problems, while urban populations can include migrant families who move between districts or states.
Targeted outreach can help close these gaps. Mobile vaccination teams, community health workers and local health facilities can be used to identify children who have missed vaccines and connect them with immunisation services.
Health information systems can further support this process by helping authorities identify areas where vaccination coverage is lower than expected. Better data can allow health departments to direct limited resources toward communities that need additional support.
The regional focus on measles also reflects a broader lesson from recent public-health emergencies: prevention is often more effective than waiting for disease outbreaks to become widespread.
Once an outbreak begins, authorities may need to deploy additional medical personnel, conduct contact investigations, increase laboratory testing and organise emergency vaccination campaigns. Maintaining strong routine immunisation can reduce the likelihood of reaching that stage.
The WHO meeting also underlined the importance of cooperation between countries. Infectious diseases do not respect national borders, and population movement can allow viruses to travel from one country to another.
Regional coordination can therefore help authorities share surveillance information, identify emerging outbreaks and coordinate responses when cross-border transmission becomes a concern.
For India and other South-East Asian countries, maintaining high immunisation coverage will remain an important part of protecting children and preventing the resurgence of diseases that can be controlled through vaccination.
The latest WHO discussions demonstrate that closing immunity gaps requires continuous work at community, national and regional levels. Strengthening routine services, improving surveillance, reaching missed children and communicating reliable health information are all central to that effort.
As countries continue their efforts to strengthen public-health systems, the priority remains ensuring that vaccination programmes reach children who are most at risk of being left behind. The regional emphasis on measles prevention is therefore part of a wider effort to preserve progress against vaccine preventable diseases and strengthen preparedness for future outbreaks.