Children’s Health Initiative (1994–2002)

U.S. Agencies

Japan Agencies

Context

• Launched as a Common Agenda initiative in 1994 and incorporated ongoing health initiatives.

Goals

• To provide immunizations and vaccines to children in developing countries.

Significance

Japan provided vaccines and technical assistance for immunizations to 15 countries across South and Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa between 1994 and 1995. The allies agreed to cooperate in combating nutritional deficiencies. The U.S. had been providing micronutrients such as vitamin A and iron to countries since 1965 and continued with that work; Japan focused on alleviating iodine deficiency. Japan produces 30% of the world’s iodine, and 80% of Japan’s iodine is made in Chiba Prefecture. Chiba donated 3,400 kg of potassium iodide to Mongolia from 1997 to 2002 during this broader initiative.