Immunization saves millions of lives and is recognized as one of the worlds most successful and cost-effective health interventions. Yet, there are millions of unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children in the world; those belong from the poorest, marginalised and most conflict-affected communities. Expanding access to immunization is thus crucial for them and also to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

World Immunization Week is celebrated in the last week of April. It objective is to highlight the collective action needed to ensure that every person is protected from vaccine-preventable diseases.

India was declared polio-free by the World Health Organization in 2014 while 99 percent cases of the Polio over world have decreased since 1988.

Despite all its success over the past years, the world has seen multiple outbreaks of measles, diphtheria, and various other vaccine-preventable diseases over the last couple of years. So, expanding the reach of immunisation also matters. Routine inoculations give everyone the best fighting chance at good health and a better quality of life from early to old age.

2019’s theme ‘Protected Together: Vaccines Work!’ aims to celebrate both the people who work tirelessly for the cause of vaccinations as well as to educate the masses about the value of getting vaccinated early.  The theme signifies the importance of unity in terms of immunisation. This year’s campaign also hopes to address how to improve the progress of vaccinations through better collaboration, technology, and funding.

World Immunization Week was endorsed by the World Health Assembly during its meeting in May 2012. Even before that, Immunization week activities took place in different regions according to different dates and different ways, but after 2012 more than 180 countries participated collectively in a meeting. Many countries pledged to work hand in hand towards immunization and bust all myths around vaccination and refrain from spreading fake news and vaccine obsession.

  health, immunization, UN Day, Vaccine