The picture above is twin tower in Kuala Lumpur. There is no relation between the picture and the following article.
Bangladesh is one of the countries which have successful immunization program. On the other hand, in Japan, the vaccination program can improve further.
The number of reported measles cases in Japan was 11,015 (8.6 per 100,000) in 2008, compare to 2,660 (1.8 per 100,000) in Bangladesh. The number of reported pertussis cases in Japan was 6753 (5.3 per 100,000) in 2008, compare to 33 (0.02 per 100,000) in Bangladesh17. We cannot simply compare the both countries. This is because of differences in health care system, accessibility to health care institution, and culture. But, these data suggest Japan can change the vaccination program better.
Hepatitis B vaccine is optional in Japan. The number of estimated patients in Japan is from 1,000,000 to 1,300,00018. In 1991, WHO recommend all children should take the hepatitis B vaccination. After introduction universal vaccination, there are some reports that acute hepatitis B reduced to 10%19. Other than hepatitis B, there are many optional vaccines, Hib, Pneumococcus, seasonal influenza, varicella, mumps, hepatitis A, and human papillomavirus. When we want to take these optional vaccines, we have to defray the cost.
In Japan, there is no combined vaccine to prevent multiple diseases except DPT and Measles-Rubella. This is partly because of delay of the permission for these useful vaccines from Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan. We should use Combined Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular Pertussis (DTPa), Hepatitis B and Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine to improve our immunization compliance and coverage.
In respect of herd immunity, we should learn more from Bangladesh, and change our immunization program more strategically to reduce vaccine-preventable diseases.
After return to Japan, I want to share these wonderful experiences with other students to contribute more development for both Japan and Bangladesh.
1. Japan EPI fact sheet 2008
http://www.wpro.who.int/NR/rdonlyres/FF62334F-9818-40EA-BF07-A9808CB58921/0/EPICountryPosterdatafor2008JPN.pdf
2. YellowBook 2010
3. Vaccine. 2010;28(4):893-900.
投稿
