Vaccines Saves Lives

World Immunisation Week, celebrated in the last week of April, aims to highlight the collective action that is needed and to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease. Immunisation is one of the most successful and cost-effective health interventions and prevents between 2 and 3 million deaths every year. From the young to old, it prevents debilitating illness, disability and death from vaccine-preventable diseases, examples such as:

• Diphtheria

• Hepatitis A and B

• Measles

• Mumps

• Pneumococcal disease

• Polio

• Rotavirus diarrhoea

• Tetanus

• Yellow fever
  

Ironically, the fact that immunisation has made many infectious diseases rare or almost unheard of can lead to the opinion among people and professionals that immunisation is no longer necessary. Due to gaps in vaccination coverage, diseases are making a comeback - disease outbreaks affect everyone!

The aim of World Immunisation Week is to increase coverage by raising awareness of the importance of immunisation among parents and caregivers, health care professionals, policy and decision-makers, and the media.

If you or your child are due for any immunisations, or you are travelling where essential immunisations are needed, get in touch with your GP or local health provider today.