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World Immunization Day is observed every year on November 10 to raise awareness about the importance of vaccines in preventing diseases and saving lives. Vaccines act as a barrier against infections and are one of the most effective public health measures in history. The day was established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2012 and marks the launch of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in 1974, which aimed to provide vaccines to people worldwide. World Immunization Day reminds us how vaccination efforts have eliminated smallpox and nearly eradicated polio and measles. It also shows that access to vaccines should be universal, ensuring protection for people in every part of the world. World Immunization Day: History And Global Significance World Immunization Day was first observed to promote vaccination and improve global health coverage. The WHO later decided to make it an annual observance to ensure that more people around the world are protected from preventable diseases. The choice of the date of November 10 was set to align with the day when the WHO’s Expanded Program on Immunization celebrated its first anniversary. It was a worldwide endeavor that started in 1974 mainly to provide vaccines for the children of the world. Immunisation can be traced to the time when Edward Jenner’s smallpox vaccine from the 18th century laid the bedrock for preventive medicine as we know it. Through the years, vaccines have become an instrument in fighting off diseases such as tetanus, measles, and most recently, COVID-19. World Immunization Day: Power of Vaccines Vaccines are still one of the most efficient healthcare techniques in the present-day healthcare system. They can stop the individual from getting infections, which may lead to death, for example, measles, polio, and tetanus. They also help build herd immunity, which means that when most people in a community are vaccinated, they create a protective barrier that helps stop diseases from spreading. The WHO stipulates that vaccines save millions of lives each year, particularly children. The organisation says that immunisation is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve health, as it reduces medical costs and helps prevent diseases before they occur. Global Vaccination Efforts Led by WHO and UNICEF The WHO is the main body that promotes vaccine awareness through its work and by giving advisory guidance to countries on how they can continue and develop their immunisation programmes. Its projects are designed in such a way that every child will get access to vaccination, especially those who live in low-income countries where it is hard to get access. UNICEF has been a major player in facilitating the governments to achieve a successful vaccination campaign on a grand scale. The United Nations Children’s Fund supports the implementation of vaccination programmes through logistics, health workers training, and by providing routine immunisation in the most remote and war-stricken areas. The organisation also takes the lead in emergencies, such as vaccine rollout in COVID-19 and responses to outbreaks. Expanding Immunisation to All Age Groups The global vaccination program is expanding beyond childhood vaccines to include adults as well. Experts stress that vaccines are equally important for adults and for people with chronic illnesses. Vaccines like the flu shot and the tetanus booster help protect long-term health and keep communities safe.
