In July 2012, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) introduced pentavalent vaccine with support from the GAVI Alliance. Children in DPR Korea will benefit from protection against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease in addition to continuing protection from four other childhood killers as the country introduces the five-in-one pentavalent vaccine into its routine immunisation programme. Working closely with WHO and UNICEF which have staff in the country, GAVI has supported DPR Korea since 2001 and has helped the country strengthen its immunisation systems, including a major upgrade of the cold chain system to ensure sufficient space for introduction of pentavalent and potentially other new vaccines such as rotavirus and pneumococcal, which address two of the major killers of children under five worldwide.
