A health worker carrying the box of vaccines in an informal tented settlement
World Immunization Week – celebrated in the last week of April – aims to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against vaccine preventable diseases. Immunization saves millions of lives and is widely recognized as one of the world’s most successful and cost-effective health interventions.
This will be the second year of the Close the Immunization Gap campaign, which celebrates the enormous successes to date in reaching children all over the world with life-saving vaccines while also stressing the challenges that are still faced.
The 2016 campaign additionally stresses the need for immunization among adolescents and adults - throughout life; and seeks to draw the world’s attention to the critical importance of reaching vulnerable people living in conflict situations or in the wake of emergencies.
The Ministry of Public Health, WHO and UNICEF encourage health partners to join the 2016 campaign and help raise awareness about the importance of immunization, increase demand for it by communities so the benefits of immunization can reach all people.
During this week, parents in Lebanon’s cities and villages are asked to bring their children of all nationalities to the nearest health center, where vaccination is being provided free of charge.
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