"Don't blow your future — get vaccinated" : the key message of the immunization exhibit at the 61st World Health Assembly
The Immunization Department's stand at the 61st World Health Assembly — on 19-24 May — focused on the contribution of vaccination to achieving Millennium Development Goal 4 to reduce the under-five mortality rate by two thirds between 1990 and 2015. With the slogan "Don't blow your future — get vaccinated", the stand featured a banner and flyer illustrating past, present and future vaccine licensure and the more than two million deaths averted through immunization every year. Two helium balloons rose high above the stand, with the phrases "Reach more - expand vaccination coverage" and "Introduce new vaccines".
During the Assembly, a resolution on the Global immunization strategy was approved by Member States, after a rich and lengthy discussion. Countries committed themselves to take steps to reach the ambitious 2010 immunization goals on reducing measles deaths by 90% and achieving equitable vaccination coverage of at least 80% in all districts. They will also stimulate rapid introduction and uptake of new and under-utilized vaccines.
The Secretariat will be monitoring progress towards achievement of immunization goals and will report back to the Health Assembly in 2011.