WHO WPRO World Immunization Week 2024 / EPI @50th
Dates: 17/04/2024
Participants: The World Health Organization Western Pacific Regional Office (WHO WPRO) Vaccine-preventable Diseases and Immunization (VDI)/Division of Programmes for Disease Control (DDC) organized the hybrid ceremony, attended by WHO regional and country office staff from various programs, and featured keynote speeches from immunization experts, vaccine champions, and dedicated healthcare workers.
Overview:
The World Health Organization's Western Pacific Regional Office (WHO WPRO) kicked off World Immunization Week (WIW) 2024 with a launching ceremony held on April 17th in Manila, Philippines.
This year's event marked a significant milestone as it is also the 50th anniversary of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI). Dr. Huong Tran, Director of the WHO WPRO Division of Programs for Disease Control (DDC), opened the ceremony with a warm welcome, highlighting EPI's success in protecting millions of children worldwide. WHO WPRO Regional Director Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala delivered a virtual opening speech emphasizing the program's remarkable journey and its pivotal role in achieving high vaccination rates, including the region's significant achievement of being polio-free since 2000.
These achievements were echoed throughout the ceremony through the speech of Dr Robert Hall, former Chair of the Technical Advisory Group on Immunization and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases for WHO WPRO, and a brief presentation on the historical context of the EPI's journey in the region from the Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Immunization (VDI) Unit. The ceremony also featured compelling stories that underscored the importance of immunization. Dr. Nimfa Putong, an Infectious Disease Specialist from the Philippines, shared her battle with polio, reminding the audience of the devastating impact of vaccine-preventable diseases. Sister Amelia Uluivuda, Director of Nursing in Fiji, showcased the dedication and perseverance needed to reach remote communities with life-saving vaccines.
The meeting was chaired by Dr. Robert E. Kezaala, lead of the EPI team from the World Health Organization (WHO) Philippine Country Office. With over 30 years of experience in immunization, Dr. Kezaala further enriched the discussions by sharing valuable insights and personal anecdotes contributing significantly to a deeper understanding of the history and highlights of the EPI program.
Outcomes:
Beyond celebrating the life-saving power of vaccines being the most effective public health intervention to date, the event served as a strong call to action for global immunization. Recognizing the ongoing threat of vaccine-preventable diseases, WHO emphasized the need for continued vigilance through strengthened national immunization programs and disease surveillance systems. WHO reiterated the importance of maintaining high immunization rates and closing immunity gaps through catch-up vaccinations, particularly among vulnerable populations, to prevent the recurrence of outbreaks.
WHO reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to collaboration with governments, healthcare sectors, and communities to strengthen immunization systems and ensure everyone has access to essential vaccinations. The ceremony concluded with a message of hope and a collective call to action to create a future free from vaccine-preventable diseases, where everyone can live a healthy life. This event marked the beginning of regional and country-level events throughout the Western Pacific Region for World Immunization Week, which runs from April 24th to 30th under the global theme: "Humanly Possible".
Further info: https://www.who.int/westernpacific/news-room/events/detail/2024/04/24/western-pacific-events/world-immunization-week-2024
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Author: WHO WPRO
Photo caption: WHO Western Pacific Regional Office staff during the World Immunization Week (WIW) 2024 launching ceremony and celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Expanded Program on Immunization last 17 April 2024 held in Manila, Philippines