World Immunization Week 2024: Challenges and Achievements
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | World Immunization Week |
| Date | April 24 to 30 annually |
| Theme 2024 | "Humanly Possible: Immunization for All" |
| Theme 2023 | "The Big Catch-Up" |
| Established | 2012 by the World Health Assembly |
| Countries Celebrating | Over 180 |
| Regional Weeks | - European Vaccination Week: April 21 to 27 - National Child Immunization Week (India): April 22 to 29 |
| Vaccination History | Originated in the 18th century with Edward Jenner's invention |
| Vaccination Rates in India | - 80% annual vaccination coverage - 20% children unvaccinated - 3 million children missed vaccinations during 2020-21 |
| UNICEF Report 2023 | 2.7 million Indian children have not received a single vaccine |
| Global Unvaccinated Children | Increased by 5 million between 2019 and 2021 |
| Government Initiative (India) | Mission Indradhanush launched in 2014 Targets children aged 0-5 years Increased vaccination by 18.5% |
| Achievements | - Polio eradicated in 2014 - Maternal-newborn tetanus eliminated in 2015 |
| Indian Vaccine Manufacturing | - Leading producer of measles, BCG, DPT vaccines - 70% of global children receive Indian-made vaccines |