Every year WHO and UNICEF jointly review the national immunization coverage among Member States based on the national reports and data from alternative sources. Taking into account potential biases and opinions of the local experts WHO and UNICEF try to determine if the available data accurately reflects the state of immunization or it presents a misleading view of immunization coverage. According to the WHO and UNICEF, “estimates of national immunization coverage in Turkmenistan are based on data and information that are of varying, and, in some instances, unknown quality”.
Under immunization country profile for Turkmenistan the WHO/UNICEF present joint estimates of national immunization coverage based on the latest data at the country level. While Turkmenistan is doing relatively well compared to the global average, there are still thousands of children who lack lifesaving immunization which unfortunately results in deaths that could have been avoided. To illustrate, in 2023, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis first dose (DTP1) coverage in Turkmenistan (99%) was 10 percentage points higher than the global average (89%). However, there were 2,000 unvaccinated children in 2023, which was around 12% higher than the annual goal for SDGs. The number of children vaccinated with DTP1 decreased 5% compared to in 2019 and the number of surviving infants decreased approximately 5% compared to in 2019. These are lives that likely could have been saved if they were vaccinated.
Similarly, DTP3 coverage (third dose) in Turkmenistan (98%) was 14 percentage points higher than the global average (84%). Nevertheless, the number of children vaccinated with DTP3 decreased 6% compared to in 2019, which resulted in the number of surviving infants decreasing approximately 5% compared to in 2019. This left 3,000 unvaccinated and undervaccinated children vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases.
Moreover, in 2023, measles vaccine (MCV1) coverage in Turkmenistan (99%) was 16 percentage points higher than the global average (83%). Nevertheless, in 2023, fewer children were vaccinated than in 2019 leaving 2,000 unvaccinated children. The number of children vaccinated with MCV1 decreased 5% compared to 2019 while the number of surviving infants decreased approximately 5% compared to in 2019.
Immunization is one of the most cost-effective ways to save lives and protect children from illness and disability. While the vaccine coverage in Turkmenistan is relatively high, there are still thousands of children who are missing this life saving health intervention. The report does not provide information on how COVID-19 impacted vaccination efforts by the government of Turkmenistan that has not reported any infections and deaths during the pandemic.
