World Immunization Week April 24 – 30, 2024 

Key Facts 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO): 

• Vaccines serve as a frontline defense against antimicrobial resistance. Making better use of existing vaccines and developing new vaccines are important ways to tackle antibiotic resistance and reduce preventable illness and deaths. 
• Immunization currently prevents between 2–3 million deaths every year. Immunization prevents deaths every year in all age groups from diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), and measles. 
• Global measles mortality has declined by 84%. Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus, which usually results in a high fever and rash, and can lead to blindness, encephalitis or death. 
• The world is closer than ever to eradicating polio. In 2016, fewer children were paralysed by polio than in any other year, with the virus restricted to a few areas of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria. 

World Immunizations Week 

The World Health Organization (WHO) and DHD#10 wants residents to celebrate vaccines ability to protect people of all ages against disease. 

According to the WHO, we now have vaccines to prevent more than 20 life-threatening diseases, helping people of all ages live longer, healthier lives. Immunization currently prevents 3.5-5 million deaths every year from diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, influenza and measles. Vaccines are also critical to the prevention and control of infectious disease outbreaks. They underpin global health security and will be a vital tool in the battle against antimicrobial resistance. 

The WHO works with countries across the globe to raise awareness about the values of vaccines and immunizations, as well as ensuring that governments have access to, and obtain, the necessary guidance and technical support to implement high-quality immunization programs. The WHO hopes that this global celebration encourages more people and communities to get vaccinated to protect them from vaccine-preventable disease. 

To learn more about the WHO’s celebration of World Immunizations Week, please visit https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-immunization-week/2024 

Quick Links 

WHO Immunization Coverage Fact Sheet
DHD#10 Families Immunizations Info
DHD#10 Men and Women Immunizations Info
DHD#10 Teens Immunization Info