ACCORDING to the Ministry of Health, Myanmar is currently administering vaccines for 13 diseases, matching international standards, and has no major outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.

The Union Minister for Health shared these updates during the World Immunization Week 2026 ceremony held on 24 April at Office No 4, Nay Pyi Taw. He noted that this year’s theme is “For Every Generation, Vaccines Work,” and immunization activities in Myanmar began as early as 1889.

The Union Minister reviewed the progress of national vaccination coverage: 2021– Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, coverage fell below 50 per cent; 2025– Coverage rebounded to over 80 per cent.

Immunization remains a priority under the President’s “100-Day Plan”. The Union Minister highlighted the rapid response within seven days following the major Mandalay earthquake on 28 March 2025–administering tetanus vaccines and diarrhoea vaccines.

The Union Minister attributed the lack of disease outbreaks to the strong collaboration between health workers, volunteers, related departments, and parents. To sustain these efforts, the State spends approximately US$10 million annually through two main funding methods: self-financing entirely by the State budget and co-financing between the State and GAVI (The Vaccine Alliance).

MT/ZN

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