An evaluation conducted from May 21 to June 10, 2001.

There is a need to develop a financed plan for mass communication as a routinely used tool for community education and mobilization. There is a plan for mass media use for campaign activities and these can be extensive because of the network of radio stations throughout the country.

In 1997, the MMR vaccine follow-up campaign was conducted as part of the strategy to eradicate the indigenous transmission of measles and 98% of children aged 1 to 6 years were vaccinated. In 1995, MMR vaccine replaced measles vaccine in the immunisation schedule of the public sector.

The government of Suriname is committed to sustaining the present gains in the programme and expanding the number of administered antigens. Yellow Fever vaccine will be introduced in the infant immunisation schedule in 2002. The introduction of the pentavalent vaccine (DPT/Hep B/Hib) is not being considered at this time because of financial constraints. There have been many achievements of the programme such as maintaining zero cases of measles and polio.

Health, Immunisations & Vaccines.

The purpose of the evaluation is to assess the current status of planning, organization and execution of services of the immunisation programme. The strengths, weaknesses and the factors that facilitate and hinder the achievement of objectives of the programme were also defined. The data gathered is being used for timely decision making and to develop a five year plan of action toward strengthening the programme.