The COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Bhutan: strategy and enablers

Infectious Diseases of Poverty

Kinley Wangdi¹  Darren J. Gray¹  Tsheten Tsheten²  Phurpa Tenzin³  Lhawang Ugyel⁴  Archie C. A. Clements⁵ 

[1] College of Health and Medicine, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, 62 Mills Road, Acton, 2601, Canberra, ACT, Australia;College of Health and Medicine, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, 62 Mills Road, Acton, 2601, Canberra, ACT, Australia;Royal Centre for Disease Control, Ministry of Health, Thimphu, Bhutan;Department of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Thimphu, Bhutan;School of Business, University of New South Wales, Canberra, ACT, Australia;Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Australia;Curtin University, Perth, Australia;

关键词: Bhutan;    Vaccine;    COVID-19;    Strategy;    Campaign;    Enablers;    Report;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s40249-021-00929-x

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

Bhutan has reported a total of 2596 COVID-19 cases and three deaths as of September 15, 2021. With support from India, the United States, Denmark, the People’s Republic of China, Croatia and other countries, Bhutan was able to conduct two rounds of nationwide vaccination campaign. While many countries struggle to overcome vaccine refusal or hesitancy due to complacency, a lack of trust, inconvenience and fear, escalated in some countries by anti-vaccine groups, Bhutan managed to inoculate more than 95% of its eligible populations in two rounds of vaccination campaign. Enabling factors of this successful vaccination campaign were strong national leadership, a well-coordinated national preparedness plan, and high acceptability of vaccine due to effective mass communication and social engagement led by religious figures, volunteers and local leaders. In this short report, we described the national strategic plan and enabling factors that led to the success of this historical vaccination campaign.

【 授权许可】

CC BY