World Immunization Week, 24-30 April 2017
#VaccinesWork
28 March 2017 -- World Immunization Week, which is held from 24-30 April 2017, aims to raise awareness about the critical importance of full immunization throughout life, and its role in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
The journey of vaccines: stories from countries
27 April 2017 -- Protecting young and old from vaccine-preventable diseases is a community-wide effort. Individuals across the world contribute in many different ways to this goal, and the World Immunization Week is an opportunity to celebrate their commitment and their efforts.
The power of vaccines: still not fully utilized
20 April 2017 -- Vaccines prevented at least 10 million deaths between 2010 and 2015, and many millions more lives were protected from illness. The global push to end polio has reached its final stages, with just 3 remaining countries still working to eradicate this debilitating disease. The ambitious Global Vaccine Action Plan to reach everyone with vaccines by 2020 started strong but is falling behind. WHO challenges all health leaders to make immunization one of the biggest success stories of modern medicine.
Every year, immunization averts 2 to 3 million deaths from diphtheria, pertussis, and measles
19 April 2017 -- Expanding access to immunization is crucial to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Not only do vaccinations prevent the suffering and death associated with infectious diseases such as pneumonia, diarrhoea, whooping cough, measles, and polio, they also help enable national priorities like education and economic development to take hold.
Reaching everyone, everywhere with life-saving vaccines
10 March 2017 -- Expanding access to immunization is crucial to achieving the SDGs. Not only do vaccinations prevent the suffering and death associated with infectious diseases such as pneumonia, diarrhoea, whooping cough, measles, and polio, they also help enable national priorities like education and economic development to take hold.
Validating information on vaccine safety
10 March 2017 -- When parents and caregivers need credible information about vaccines for their children, they often look to the internet first. In recent years, however, a number of websites have been publishing unbalanced and misleading information on vaccine safety. In response, a network of validated vaccine safety websites, called Vaccine Safety Net, has been created to provide accurate and trustworthy information about vaccines.
fact buffet
116 millionDuring 2015, 116 million infants worldwide received 3 doses of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, protecting them against infectious diseases that can cause serious illness and disability.
Fact sheet on immunization85% of childrenIn 2015, about 85% of the world's children received one dose of measles vaccine by their first birthday through routine health services – up from 73% in 2000.
Fact sheet on measles3 countriesPolio cases have decreased by over 99% since 1988. Today, only 3 countries (Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan) remain polio-endemic, down from more than 125 in 1988.
Fact sheet on poliomyelitisCampaign materials
#VaccinesWork
Tweets about #VaccinesWork from:whoStories from countries
About immunization
Technical information
- WHO’s work on immunization
- Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP)
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Key messages: SAGE assessment report 2016
pdf, 62kb -
2016 Assessment report of the GVAP by the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization
pdf, 461kb -
GVAP Secretariat report 2016
pdf, 14.14Mb
General information
Videos
Campaign around the world
- Africa: Vaccines protect everyone, get vaccinated!
- Americas: #GetVax to celebrate a healthy tomorrow!
- Europe: Vaccines Work
- Eastern Mediterranean: #VaccinesWork
- South-East Asia: #VaccinesWork
- Western Pacific: Vaccination is everyone's job. Protect our children, protect our community