World Immunization Week
WHO highlights recent gains in immunization coverage, steps countries can take to close the immunization gap & meet 2020 global vaccination targets.
- Charlotte Wagenaar
- Apr 28, 2016
During this years World Immunization Week (24-30 April), WHO highlights recent gains in immunization coverage, and outlines further steps countries can take to close the immunization gap and meet global vaccination targets by 2020.
Immunization averts 2 to 3 million deaths annually; however, an additional 1.5 million deaths could be avoided if global vaccination coverage improves. Today, an estimated 18.7 million infants – nearly 1 in 5 children – worldwide are still missing routine immunizations for preventable diseases, such as diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus.
Our most recent program data show a considerable increase in the number of life-saving immunizations being performed at the clinics in our program. In March 2016, 1,765 clinics were using the SafeCare standards and methodology to improve the quality of their healthcare services. Every month, these clinics perform 147,504 immunizations, helping to stamp out preventable diseases and close the immunization gap.