World Immunisation Week; 24th to 30th April 2021

21 Apr 2021

World immunisation week is celebrated each year to promote the use of immunisations (vaccines) to protect people of all ages against disease. For over 200 years, vaccines have been protecting us against diseases that threaten lives, such as polio, measles and smallpox; and save millions of lives each year. Unfortunately, there are still approximately 20 million children and adults in the world not receiving the vaccines they need.

As the world currently focuses on new vaccines to protect against COVID-19, it is important to ensure routine vaccinations are not missed. Many children have not been vaccinated during the global pandemic, leaving them at risk of serious diseases such as measles and polio.

The theme for world immunisation week 2021 is ‘Vaccines bring us closer’. The aim is to build solidarity and trust in vaccination as a public good that saves lives and protects the health and wellbeing of everyone, everywhere throughout life.

As part of the 2021 campaign, the World Health Organization (WHO), their partners and individuals around the world will unite to:

• Increase trust and confidence in vaccines to maintain or increase vaccine acceptance
• Increase investment in vaccines, including routine immunisation and to remove barriers for people to access them

See the World Health Organization (WHO) website for further details on how you can become involved with the 2021 World Immunisation Week campaign.