Strengthening routine immunization services in the Western Pacific through the eradication of poliomyelitis

Infant immunization coverage in the Western Pacific Region of the World Health Organization was reviewed to evaluate the impact of polio eradication activities on routine immunization services. The trend in bacille Calmette-Guérin (one dose; BCG), diphtheria-tetanus toxoids-pertussis (three doses; DTP3), and measles (one dose) vaccination rates was analyzed from the beginning of eradication activities in 1990 to 1994 in the five polio-endemic countries that conducted supplementary oral polio vaccine immunization. In China and the Philippines, coverage for each antigen remained at or above 90% and 85%, respectively, while in Vietnam, coverage for all three antigens rose from 85% to 95%. BCG, DTP3, and measles vaccine coverage more than doubled in the People's Democratic Republic of Lao and increased by >30% in the Kingdom of Cambodia during the same period.