Immunization History in Qatar

In the State of Qatar the EPI (Expanded Program of Immunization) was established in 1979. The program was launched by WHO following approval of World Health Assembly in 1978. The specific objectives of the EPI program are reduction in morbidity & mortality caused by vaccine preventable diseases among children less than 5 years of age. The National Immunization Program is guided through expert body "Immunization Practice Committee" & follows recommendations by WHO. The EPI program was introduced with a few targeted childhood diseases in the initial phase; namely Polio, Measles, Tuberculosis, Tetanus & Rubella. However other vaccines were added later; which include Hepatitis B vaccine in 1989, Hib (haemophilus influenzae vaccine) in 1994, Varicella vaccine in 2002 & Conjugated pneumococcal vaccine, for the high risk children, in 2000 and for all children in 2005. In 2000, the immunization schedule was readjusted by removing measles vaccine which was given alone at 9 months and replacing it with the triple vaccine MMR (measles, mumps & rubella vaccine) at one year followed by a second opportunity at 4-6 years of age. Basic immunization coverage levels are high or near record high for most vaccines. As a result of which today there are far fewer visible reminders of the unnecessary suffering, injuries, and premature deaths caused by vaccine-preventable diseases. There has been a tremendous increase in the immunization coverage for all of the EPI diseases which include MMR (100% in 2002 & 93% in 2003), Hepatitis B (98% in 2002 & 93% in 2003), Varicella (95% in 2002 & 90% in 2003), DPT (96% in 2002 & 92% in 2003), BCG (100% in 2002 & 2003) & OPV (96% in 2002 & 93% in 2003) respectively. Since 1990 country is maintaining Zero case of Poliomyelitis & Diphtheria. In 2001 World Health Organization agreed to grant Qatar polio free status. National Epidemic Preparedness & Response Committee was established in 2001 for preparedness of outbreak control & natural disasters.

To fulfill the governments commitment of “Healthy people”, Communicable Disease Control and Prevention and Vaccine Surveillance Section had set specific objectives to achieve :

1. Increase vaccine coverage (nation –wide >95%) for all basic antigens with emphasis on timely and safe vaccination

2. Eradication of Poliomyelitis

3. Elimination of Measles, Rubella and Congenital Rubella Syndrome, NNT

4. Control of Pediatric Bacterial Meningitis, Viral Hepatitis, T.B, STD diseases including HIV/AIDS

5. Establishment of NRA, Pneumococcal and Rota virus disease surveillance