World Immunization Week (24 to 30 April 2023): The Big Catch-Up

Background Information:

World Immunization Week is celebrated each year in the last week of April, and aims to highlight the collective action needed to protect people from vaccine-preventable diseases.

The ultimate goal of World Immunization Week is for more children, adults – and their communities – to be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases, allowing them to live happier, healthier lives.

Vaccines protect against more than 20 diseases like measles, diphtheria, HPV and polio. They can affect anyone, regardless of age.

Key Messages:

Over 25 million children missed at least one vaccination in 2021 alone.

Vaccination levels decreased in over 100 countries, leading to rising outbreaks of measles, diphtheria, polio and yellow fever.

We need to turnaround immunization progress and ensure stronger primary health care services for the longevity and health of our future generations.

The Big Catch-Up is a global push to vaccinate millions of children and surpass pre-pandemic vaccination levels. It will support countries to strengthen routine immunization systems and conduct necessary catch-up campaigns.

Significant progress in immunization was lost in just 3 years, with life-long repercussions for millions of children and their communities.

The pandemic placed unprecedented strain on health systems, including the delivery of essential immunization programs.

Intensifying focus on immunization in 2023 will protect children and adolescents from preventable diseases, allowing them to have healthier lives and strengthen health systems.