Introduction:
Immunization is widely recognized as one of the most successful and cost-effective health interventions ever introduced. It prevents between 2 and 3 million deaths every year and now protects children not only against diseases for which vaccines have been available for many years, such as diphtheria, tetanus, polio and measles, but also against diseases such as pneumonia and rotavirus diarrhoea, two of the biggest killers of children under 5. Furthermore, adolescents and adults can now be protected against life-threatening diseases such as influenza, meningitis, and cancers (cervical and liver cancers), thanks to new and sophisticated vaccines.
The Expanded Immunization Program, applied in the Kingdom, is seen as a comprehensive system meant to combat 15 infectious diseases affecting children. The program includes other related systems, such as the Intensive Epidemiological Surveillance Program, the national vaccination campaigns and the other affective health awareness programs. The program made significant achievement, thanks to the King's approval to link the babies' birth certificate to a list of the targeted diseases that are to be immunized against in 1399H (corresponding to 1979). Afterwards, the heath centers and primary healthcare projects witnessed a remarkable improvement.
Key Facts about Immunization:
- From 1990 to 2008, immunization coverage rates have risen to 97%.
- Decline of measles death toll globally by 78% from 2000 to 2012.
- Immunization protects, Allah willing, against 25 infectious diseases.
Internationally approved date: 24-30/4/2014
Locally approved date: 24/6/1435H - 1/7/14345
Theme:
(Are you up-to-date?)
Goals:
This year’s World Immunization Week campaign seeks to address the knowledge gap which can prevent people from getting vaccinated.
Specific Goals:
- Raise awareness among people that immunization saves lives.
- Encourage people to take vaccines, including children and adults.
- Increase vaccination services coverage to be protected from epidemic outbreaks locally or worldwide.
- Using the newly available vaccines in underserved and marginalized communities.
Increasing public understanding of the benefits of vaccination is a key objective of the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP), which provides the framework for immunization efforts across the world and was endorsed by the World Health Assembly in 2012. The Plan aims to improve health by extending by 2020 and beyond the full benefits of immunization to all people, regardless of where they are born, who they are, or where they live.
Targeted category:
- Children and their families.
- Medical staff.
- Health institutions and decision makers.
- All segments of society.
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