Every year, the last week of April is observed as World Immunization Week to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease. Vaccines are safe and effective life-saving tools to prevent diseases. Ranging from childhood routine vaccinations to the current COVID-19 vaccine, vaccines keep families and communities safe from unpreventable diseases.
In 2021, World Immunization Week runs from April 24 to 30. The campaign will aim to:
World Immunization Week 2021 will aim to:
- Reframe the global vaccine conversation to focus on the importance of vaccines
- Highlight the many ways in which vaccines enable us to live healthy, productive lives by preventing the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases
- Establish social proof that the broader public already values and trust vaccines
This year, the aim is to build solidarity and trust in vaccination as a public good that saves lives and protects health. To this end, WHO will be seeking more partners to bring people together in support of a lifesaving cause.
As the focus is now on developing new vaccines to protect against COVID-19, it is important to make sure that routine vaccinations are not missed. According to UNICEF, even before the coronavirus pandemic, more than 13 million children did not receive any vaccines and at least 20 million children below the age of one did not receive the recommended vaccines against measles, polio, and other preventable diseases. This year’s campaign aims to build solidarity and trust in vaccination as a public good that saves lives and protects health.
Vaccines have protected humans for over 200 years against diseases that can threaten lives and Immunization saves millions of lives every year from diseases such as smallpox and polio. Investment and new research support groundbreaking approaches to vaccine development is expected to change the science of immunization forever, bringing us closer to a healthier future. World Immunization Week highlights the ways in which vaccines enable us to live healthy, productive lives by preventing the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases demonstrate social proof that the broader public already values and trust vaccines.
Vaccination is one of the world’s most successful health interventions. In the case of COVID-19, scientists from across the world are collaborating and innovating to bring new tests, treatments and vaccines that will collectively save lives and end this pandemic.
While getting vaccinated, health experts point out that it’s critical to continue wearing masks, wash your hands, keep a safe physical distance, and avoid crowds.
Get vaccinated – together, we can save lives and build a healthier future!
