- Every year the last week of April (24 to 30 April) is celebrated as ‘World Immunization Week’. The global vaccine campaign of the late 20th century is one of humanity’s greatest achievements.
- Vaccination campaigns have enabled us to eradicate smallpox, almost defeat polio and ensure that
- This year the theme of ‘World Immunization Week’ 2024 has been kept as ‘Humanly Possible: Immunization for All’.
- Whereas the theme of ‘World Immunization Week’ 2023 was ‘The Big Catch-Up’.
Start of World Immunization Week
- The World Health Assembly established World Immunization Week in 2012. At that time it was celebrated in more than 180 countries. Vaccinations were held at different times around the world weeks ago. However, currently it is celebrated at the same time globally.
- Yet ‘European Vaccination Week’ is celebrated every year from 21-27 April.
- Similarly, ‘National Child Immunization Week’ is celebrated every year in India from 22-29 April.
- The history and origins of this phenomenon can be traced back to Edward Jenner’s invention of the vaccine in the 18th century.