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World Immunization Week

World Immunization Week
World Immunization Week

World Immunization Week, held April 24-30, aims to raise awareness about the critical importance of full immunization throughout life, and its role in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Vaccines have been one of the biggest success stories of modern medicine. According to estimates, at least 10 million deaths were prevented between 2010 and 2015 thanks to vaccinations delivered around the world, the WHO reported. In 2015, about 85% of the world’s children received one dose of measles vaccine by their first birthday through routine health services – up from 73% in 2000. During 2015, 116 million infants worldwide received 3 doses of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, protecting them against infectious diseases. Polio cases had also decreased by over 99% since 1988. Today, only three countries (Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan) remain polio-endemic, down from more than 125 in 1988. In 1974, only 5% of the world’s children were protected from the six killer diseases of diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, measles, poliomyelitis and tuberculosis targeted by the WHO’s Expanded Program on Immunization. Today, the figure is 86%, with some developing countries including Iran, reaching more than 95% immunization coverage.

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