180 countries celebrate World Immunisation Week 2014

Throughout the last week of April, more than 180 countries around the world will be celebrating World Immunization Week. A statement of the World Health Organization (WHO), on Thursday said this year, the global theme for Immunization Week is “Are you up to date?” with the campaign slogan “Immunization for a healthy future. Know, Check, Protect”. Through this slogan, WHO is calling everyone to action: to know more about available vaccines and their benefits from health care professionals and trusted sources, to check whether you and your family have had all the vaccines you need and to protect yourself and your family by getting vaccinated,the statement added. This important initiative has been widely recognized and successfully celebrated by Member States in the Eastern Mediterranean Region since 2010. World Immunization Week gives countries and immunization partners around the world a focused opportunity to communicate the importance of immunization and vaccines to the public, to celebrate health gains as a result of immunization and endorse the ongoing fight against vaccine-preventable diseases. A variety of activities will be carried out by countries in the Region, including nationwide launching ceremonies, workshops, seminars, media campaigns and social mobilization activities. In addition, countries will expand vaccination services, such as tracking unvaccinated people, extending operational hours and implementing vaccination campaigns. Moreover, various partners, civic societies and educational institutions will be holding several events to commemorate the Week throughout the Region. Immunization is one of the most successful and cost-effective health interventions and prevents between an estimated two and three million deaths every year in all age groups from diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) and measles. From infants to senior citizens, immunization prevents debilitating illness, disability and death from vaccine-preventable diseases. Moreover, the benefits of immunization are increasingly being extended to adolescents and adults, providing protection against life-threatening diseases, such as hepatitis, influenza, meningitis and cancers that occur in adulthood.