World Immunization Week 2021 – Vaccines bring us closer

24 – 30 April 2021

World Immunization Week – celebrated every year in the last week of April – aims to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease. Immunization saves millions of lives every year and is widely recognized as one of the world’s most successful health interventions. Yet, there are still nearly 20 million children in the world today who are not getting the vaccines they need, and many miss out on vital vaccines during adolescence, adulthood and into old age.

In the period of 24-30 April, 2021 the Red Cross of the Republic of North Macedonia will take part in the activities for marking the World Immunization Week 2021 under the theme “Vaccines bring us closer” by conducting online educational lectures, sharing posts and posters on social networks on the importance of regular and timely immunization. With these activities we aim to contribute to raising public awareness on the importance of vaccination in bringing people together and improving the health and well-being of all.

While the world focuses on critically important new vaccines to protect against COVID-19, there remains a need to ensure routine vaccinations are not missed. Many children have not been vaccinated during the global pandemic, leaving them at risk of serious diseases like measles and polio. Rapidly circulating misinformation around the topic of vaccination adds to this threat. 

Vaccines are a critical new tool in the battle against COVID-19. Working as quickly as they can, scientists from across the world are collaborating and innovating to bring us tests, treatments and vaccines that will collectively save lives and end this pandemic. Together, we can end the COVID-19 pandemic and achieve a healthier world for all.