BY ESTHER WANGECI
World Immunization Week is a global public health campaign celebrated from 24 to 30 April annually to raise awareness and increase rates of immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases around the world.
The World Health Assembly endorsed World immunization week during its May 2012 meeting.
Immunization weeks’ activities were held on different dates in different regions of the world with the participation of more than 180 counties and territories worldwide.
Following this year’s theme ‘The Big Catch Up’, the World Health Organization is working with partners to accelerate the rapid progress in various countries to get back on track to ensure more people, especially children are protected from diseases.
The very first successful vaccine was created in May 1796 by English physician, Dr. Edward Jenner when he found out that people infected with cowpox were immune to smallpox.
In 2023, there will be a global opportunity to catch up on lost progress in essential immunization.
The World Health Organization has the intention to reach millions of children who missed out on vaccines, restore essential immunization coverage to strengthen primary health care to deliver immunization and build lasting protection in communities and countries.