World Immunization Week 2023 will focus on prioritizing spreading awareness about the urgency of
and vaccines so that governments can also launch effective immunization programs for providing technical assistance and crucial information.
Every year, the WHO comes up with a theme for the week. This year, the theme for World Immunization Week 2023 is ‘The Big Catch-Up’. The focus of the theme is to fast-track progress towards ensuring that everyone, especially children can be protected from preventable diseases. This is especially important because of how the
pandemic affected routine immunization services in various countries, leaving many people vulnerable to diseases that can easily be prevented by vaccines.
The theme spotlights the pressing need to catch up on missed vaccinations and to increase access to immunization, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
What is the Significance of World Immunization Week 2023?
Many might ask what’s so special about this week. World Immunization Week is a significant international event because it promotes an understanding of the value of immunization and how it protects people and communities from diseases that can be prevented.
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No matter where they live, people of all ages should have access to safe and effective vaccines. The week-long campaign aims to highlight this exact need.
Herd immunity is the term used to describe the indirect defense against infectious diseases that develops when a sizable portion of the population develops immunity to the disease due to immunization or prior exposure. This type of immunity aids in illness prevention in people who are unable to receive the vaccine.
Herd immunity can help prevent the spread of many infectious diseases, like measles, polio, and COVID-19.
What is the History Behind World Immunization Week?
The World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of the WHO, endorsed World Immunization Week in May 2012. Prior to 2012, Immunization Week activities were held on various dates around the world.
In 2012, the world’s first ‘World Immunization Week’ was observed, with over 180 countries and territories participating at the same time.
World Immunization Week highlights the vital role vaccines play in promoting public health and preventing epidemics. The campaign aims to improve vaccine coverage rates and address vaccine hesitancy by providing accurate information about the safety and efficacy of vaccines.
Reference :
- World Immunization Week 2023 – 24 to 30 April – (https:www.who.int/campaigns/world-immunization-week/2023)
Source: Medindia
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