PESHAWAR:
The United Nations has expressed concern over the ‘weak vaccine management system’ Pakistan and urged the government to adopt standard protocols to make the vaccination programme more effective.
A survey conducted jointly by World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF last year have recommended steps to address the gaps between each level of the vaccine supply chain.
The survey further adds that the vaccination management in Pakistan meets only one of the principles laid down for effective vaccination system.
The required performance standard, according to the survey, is 80 per cent for all levels.
The country has more than 80 per cent required standard in vaccine and commodity arrival procedures in only the first standard while it needs more improvement in vaccine storage temperatures, cold and dry storage capacity, buildings, equipment and transport, maintenance, stock management, effective distribution, good vaccine management practices, information systems and supportive management functions, which are the other eight standards required for effective vaccine management.
