Immunization

The Issue

Nodar, 6, receives a routine immunization at Children Polyclinic, Tbilisi, Georgia.

Immunization, one of the most cost-effective public health interventions available today, has made immense strides in Central and Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

In 2002, the region was certified polio-free, and the implementation of the polio post-certification strategy has gathered speed. Reported immunization rates are high relative to other parts of the world. New vaccines, such as hepatitis B, are being introduced, and cases of vaccine-preventable disease are falling. Increased financial support, through the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), has made it possible to introduce new safety and quality standards in 11 of the region’s poorest countries. But despite all this progress, some children – those in remote areas, the urban poor, minorities and children in conflict situations – do not receive basic vaccination. They suffer from diseases that could have been prevented by inexpensive vaccines, making immunization a continuing priority for UNICEF in the region.

The Global Immunization Vision and Strategy (GIVS)

The Global Immunization Vision and Strategy (GIVS) is a framework for protecting children from preventable childhood diseases such as measles, tetanus, and whooping cough.

Developed by UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), GIVS calls for raising global immunization coverage for these common diseases to at least 90 per cent in every country over the next five years.

GIVS Global Immunization Vision and Strategy 2006-2015 [PDF]

Press release: Governments welcome WHO/UNICEF Global Immunization Strategy

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