European Immunization Week – celebrating the progress and potential of vaccines to support a long life well lived
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European Immunization Week, which is traditionally celebrated every year from April 24 to 30, 2022, is an opportunity to reflect on the importance of vaccination, as one of the foundations of a functioning public health system.
This year, European Immunization Week highlights the historic achievements of vaccination, including progress towards global eradication of polio and regional elimination of measles and rubella as well as the potential to achieve even more, such as control of hepatitis B and elimination of cervical cancer. The hundreds of thousands of lives saved through COVID-19 vaccination in the WHO European Region alone are also great cause for celebration.
“There is no doubt that immunization contributes to a healthy population. As we worked to protect communities from COVID-19, routine vaccine coverage fell below the optimum level. Our aim is to achieve the recommended coverage of 95 percent, and for that purpose, in cooperation with health centers, we have intensified field work to reach out to children who have missed vaccine shots. Every opportunity for children and adults to be vaccinated, as per the calendar for regular immunization, should be used,” said Dr. Bekim Sali, Minister of Health.
Countries across the world have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including in the area of immunization. In North Macedonia, WHO and UNICEF worked together with the country's health authorities and COVID-19 vaccination partners in all parts of the country and for all population groups. To date, 46.5% of citizens of North Macedonia have received two doses of COVID-19 vaccines, and only 8.4% have received a third dose.
European Immunization Week is a great opportunity to thank all of the health workers who have worked tirelessly to protect others by making vaccination possible. This effort will not end until everyone eligible for vaccination is fully protected, especially older adults, who are most vulnerable to severe disease yet not yet vaccinated.
“Vaccines have had tremendous importance in our history and particularly in recent years because of the pandemic. They protect us as individuals and help us protect each other as members of the global community. The 2022 theme for European Immunization Week “Long Life for All” aims to reinforce the importance of equitable and expanded access to vaccines, to contribute to a long and healthy life for everyone,” said Dr Anne Johansen, WHO Special Representative and Head of Office a.i.
Although routine immunization services were available during the COVID-19 pandemic, there were some issues that contributed to reduced rates of routine vaccinations for children during 2020. The national coverage in 2021 showed promising improvements compared to 2020, however the 70.4% national uptake of measles, rubella and mumps (MMR1) for children aged 12 months and 80.4% (MMR2) booster shot is still far from the 95% required to achieve herd immunity and protect the community.
To protect children and prevent epidemics, it is essential that every child who misses a vaccination is given easy access to it so that they can receive the doses they need.
“Thanks to high vaccination rates in the past, parents today have been fortunate to grow up without seeing family or friends die or suffer life-long disability from diseases like measles or polio. Ironically, this is one of the reasons why some believe that vaccine preventable diseases are no longer a threat. We are appealing to parents and caregivers: Provide your children with the protection that your parents have provided you in the past,” said Patrizia DiGovanni, UNICEF Representative.
Vaccination is a key priority and benefits public health. To increase the coverage of all vaccines in the future, health professionals and parents are engaged in continued promotion and awareness raising. Let’s not allow a break in the long tradition of successful vaccination and risk infectious disease epidemics in the country.
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About UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.mk.