Other Articles from Brenda Okoth
Vaccines protect everyone, get vaccinated!
Today marks the beginning of the World Immunisation Week from 24 _ 28April 2017. This year’s theme is “Vaccines protect everyone, get vaccinated!” #AVW17.
The event is celebrated during the last week of April in synchronisation with the other WHO Regions and the World Immunisation Week (WIW). It is led and coordinated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Africa and implemented by countries.
The goal of the Annual Vaccination Week is to strengthen immunisation programmes in the African Region by increasing awareness of the importance of every person’s (particularly every child and woman) need and right to be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases.
According to WHO There is arguably no single preventive health intervention more cost-effective than immunisation. Every year, immunisation averts 2 to 3 million deaths from diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), and measles.
Key Challenges
Last year, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on immunisation (SAGE) identified 5 factors to achieving results in immunisation coverage:
- Quality and use of data
- Community Involvement
- Better access to immunisation services for marginalised and displaced populations
- Strong health systems
- Access to vaccines in all places at all times.
