Introduction:
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.
It is found that immunization saves millions of lives and is widely recognized as one of the world’s most successful and cost-effective health interventions. Today, there are still a huge number of unvaccinated and under-vaccinated children in the world.
Facts:
- Immunization prevents illness, disability, and death from vaccine-preventable diseases including cervical cancer, diphtheria, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, pertussis (whooping cough), pneumonia, polio, HIV, German measles, tetanus.
- Global vaccination or immunization coverage remains stable.
- Immunization currently averts an estimated 2 to 3 million deaths every year.
- Unfortunately, an estimated 21.8 million infants worldwide are still missing out on basic vaccines.
Objective of the World Day:
World Immunization Day aims to raise awareness among society members about the importance of immunization for prevention of disease targeted for immunization.
Statistics:
- An estimated 240 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis B. Some 686,000 people die every year because of it, including cirrhosis and liver cancer.
- In 2013, there were 145700 measles deaths globally – about 400 deaths every day or 16 deaths every hour. On the other hand, measles vaccination efforts have led to major health gains, resulting in a 75% drop in measles deaths between 2000 and 2013 worldwide.
- Worldwide, over 100,000 babies are born with Congenital Rubella Syndrome CRS every year.
- Mumps is a highly contagious virus and can lead to viral meningitis. It vaccine was introduced in 120 countries by the end of 2013.
- Polio is a highly infectious viral disease that can cause irreversible paralysis. In 2013, 84% of infants around the world received 3 doses of polio vaccine. Polio remains endemic to only three countries: Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan. Polio-free countries have been infected by imported virus, and all countries – especially those experiencing conflict and instability – remain at risk until polio is fully eradicated.
There are many other world statistics on vaccine-preventable diseases.
Official Date:
Locally: Rajab 27th – Shaban 4th, 1438H
Globally: April 24th – 30th, 2017
Theme of World Immunization Week:
Vaccines Work
Targeted Group:
All categories of society