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Celebrating World Immunization Week 2024
As we celebrate World Immunization Week and the 50th anniversary of the Expanded (Essential) Programme on Immunization, we celebrate one of the greatest accomplishments of humankind. Despite conflict and political and social divisions, despite poverty and inequalities, this global immunization program has saved the lives of more than 150 million children and protected many millions more from disease and disability over the past five decades. We face challenges ahead in achieving a world free from adverse health, economic, and social consequences of vaccine-preventable diseases but should pause and celebrate this truly remarkable achievement.
– Dr. William Moss, IVAC Executive Director |
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[Recording] Celebrating Vaccine Victories: EPI at 50
As part of World Immunization Week, the International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC) at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health hosted a webinar to celebrate 50 years of the Essential Programme on Immunization (EPI), EPI successes over the last half century, and what the future of immunization holds. A distinguished panel of Johns Hopkins experts and scientists presented on the history of the EPI and their experience with EPI vaccines including the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, and rotavirus vaccine. |
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Vaccine Victories Toolkit and Social Media Cards
IVAC has created a social media toolkit filled with shareable social media graphics and related resources for World Immunization Week and beyond. These graphics celebrate the significant impact of vaccines over the past 50 years and demonstrate the importance of continuing to prioritize investments in immunization programs around the world to reach every child. These messages resonate beyond World Immunization Week and can be promoted throughout the year as we celebrate EPI at 50 and show the world what’s Humanly Possible. |
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Celebrating 50 Years of Cross-Cutting Impact: The Essential Programme on Immunization (EPI)
As public health advocates around the world commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Expanded (Essential) Programme on Immunization (EPI), established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1974, it's a fitting moment to reflect on the program's profound impact on global health. This groundbreaking initiative has been a cornerstone of global public health efforts for the past 50 years, not only saving countless lives but also delivering far-reaching economic benefits and fostering the integration of critical public health resources. |
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New VIEW-hub Report Now Available
The latest report from VIEW-hub, IVAC’s open-access data visualization tool that displays data on vaccine introduction, use, coverage, access, impact, and disease burden, is now available. In addition to data and figures on the global introduction status of nine vaccines, this edition of the report includes a special section in recognition of World Immunization Week and the 50th anniversary of the EPI.
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New IA2030 Country Profiles Now Available
The Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030) Scorecard team has published a new series of profiles highlighting country-level data for 36 low- and middle-income countries around the world. These Country Profiles are meant to increase attention on IA2030 targets, support renewed commitment and financial investments, and celebrate EPI achievements. Profiles can be downloaded as PDFs in either English or French through the Country Pages on the IA2030 Scorecard. |
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Global Vaccine Coverage and Childhood Survival Estimates: 1990–2019 [Bulletin of the World Health Organization]
Authors include Haijun Zhang and Bryan Patenaude
To quantify the association between reduction in child mortality and routine immunization across 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019, researchers used a mixed-effects regression model to estimate the reduction in deaths in children younger than 5 years associated with eight vaccines. They found that the diphtheria–tetanus–pertussis (DTP), measles, rotavirus, and Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccines were significantly associated with an estimated 86.9 million fewer deaths in children younger than 5 years worldwide. More than 84% of the reduction in child mortality occurred in Gavi-supported countries. These results emphasize the need for increased investment in routine immunization programs to continue to reduce childhood mortality around the world. |
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Post-Campaign Coverage Evaluation of a Measles and Rubella Supplementary Immunization Activity in Five Districts in India, 2019–2020 [PLOS ONE]
Authors include Christine Prosperi, Alvira Z. Hasan, and William J. Moss
Researchers conducted community-based cross-sectional surveys in five districts of India following a mass measles and rubella vaccination campaign. Campaign coverage (either documented or by recall) ranged from 74.2–90.4% among children 9 months to under 5 years and from 73.8–93.4% among children between 5 and 15 years. The primary reason reported for children who did not receive a campaign dose was lack of knowledge about the campaign. Researchers concluded that areas with lower coverage among younger children must be prioritized by strengthening the routine immunization program and implementing strategies to identify and reach under-vaccinated children. |
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