“Stop measles now!”
Introduction
The World Health Organization (WHO) endeavors to promote nations to organize the World Immunization Week, educate the public and exchange information in the light of World Immunization Week; in order to concentrate on the significance of vaccination (immunization) to save lives and encourage families to immunize their kids against fatal diseases.
Immunization is one of the most successful and cost-effective health interventions, as it prevents 2 to 3 million deaths every year.
Immunization protects against debilitating diseases and deaths resulting from such vaccine-preventable diseases; such as diphtheria, measles, pertussis (whooping cough), pneumonia, polio, rotavirus diarrhea, rubella and tetanus. The benefits of immunization are increasingly being extended to adolescents and adults, providing protection against life-threatening diseases such as influenza, meningitis, and cancers (cervical and liver cancers).
In the Middle East, World Immunization Week is activated on 24-30 April, 2013 (corresponding to 14-20 Jumada al-Akher 1434H).
The theme of this year’s World Immunization Week is “Stop measles now!”, seeking to get rid of measles in the region by 2015, and activate cooperation between countries to increase the coverage of measles vaccine for children; as it should at least cover 90%. Moreover, World Immunization Week aims to raise awareness among society members about the danger of measles and the benefits of children vaccination against it; as it is a good opportunity to urge the organizations in the region to adopt this World Week to hold a number of activities.
Key Facts about Measles
Decline of measles death toll globally by 78%
Due to intensive vaccination campaigns, the measles death rates have dropped from about 733000 deaths in 2000 to 164000 in 2008, at the international level.
Measles is still reckoned one of the leading causes of death among young children worldwide, amounting to about 158000 deaths a year.
In 2011, about 2.5 million children in the region didn't take the first regular dose of measles vaccination, even though the vaccine is safe, effective, cheap, and available for everyone.
Internationally approved date: 24-30/4/2013.
Locally approved date: 14-20/6/1434H.
Theme of the World Immunization Week 2013:
“Stop measles now!”
"Protect loved ones – get them vaccinated"