The World Health Organization has revealed that vaccines have saved more than 150 million lives globally over the past five decades, highlighting one of the most significant public health achievements in modern history.
In a statement marking the start of World Immunization Week, which runs from April 24 to 30, the agency emphasized the role of vaccines in protecting individuals families and communities from deadly diseases such as Measles, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Polio, and Rotavirus.
The campaign also showcases scientific advances that have made it possible to immunize against a wider range of illnesses including Malaria, Human Papillomavirus, Cholera, Dengue, Meningitis, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Ebola, and Mpox.
This year also marks the midpoint of the Immunization Agenda 2030, a global effort led by WHO to expand access to life saving vaccines for all populations. A recent progress report shows that despite major challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic geopolitical tensions climate related disruptions and funding constraints immunization programmes have still prevented millions of deaths in the past five years.
However the report notes that many global targets remain off track with ongoing gaps in routine vaccination coverage equitable access and outbreak prevention in several countries.
To address these issues WHO is calling for renewed global commitment stronger national immunization systems and better integration with primary healthcare services.
In a joint effort WHO alongside UNICEF and Gavi the Vaccine Alliance highlighted the success of The Big Catch up campaign launched in 2023. The initiative has reached an estimated 18.3 million children across 36 countries providing critical vaccines including millions of doses of inactivated polio vaccine.
The campaign aims to vaccinate at least 21 million children helping to close immunity gaps caused largely by the pandemic and move c to global disease eradication goals.
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