There will be a general debate on World Immunisation Week in the Commons Chamber on 2 May 2019.
World Immunisation Week 2019 is a global public health campaign that aims to promote the use of vaccines to protect people from disease. The theme of the 2019 campaign is ‘Protected together: Vaccines Work!’ The World Health Organization sets out its objectives:
The main goal of the campaign is to raise awareness about the critical importance of full immunization throughout lifeAs part of the 2019 campaign, WHO and partners aim to:
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Demonstrate the value of vaccines for the health of children, communities and the world.
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Highlight the need to build on immunization progress while addressing gaps, including through increased investment.
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Show how routine immunization is the foundation for strong, resilient health systems and universal health coverage.[1]
The World Health Organization provide information about the impact and importance of immunisation, and highlights that it is estimated to avert 2-3 million deaths a year:
Immunization is a proven tool for controlling and eliminating life-threatening infectious diseases and is estimated to avert between 2 and 3 million deaths each year. It is one of the most cost-effective health investments, with proven strategies that make it accessible to even the most hard-to-reach and vulnerable populations.[2]
General information on vaccination is provided by the following sources:
- WHO, Immunisation
- NHS, Vaccinations and How vaccination saves lives, April 2016
- University of Oxford, Oxford Vaccines Group: Vaccine Knowledge project
[1] WHO, World Immunisation Week 2019
[2] WHO, Immunisation [accessed 1 May 2019]