‘Immunize for life’: Yemen marks World Immunization Week 2025
24 April 2025, During World Immunization Week, the World Health Organization (WHO) in Yemen joins global partners in celebrating immunization as one of humanity’s greatest achievements. The week provides an opportunity to reflect on progress made in preventing life-threatening diseases and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring everyone has access to lifesaving vaccines.
Immunization has saved millions of lives and is one of the most powerful tools in the fight against preventable diseases. It has contributed to healthier communities and reduced child mortality. In Yemen, around one Million children have been vaccinated in the past year, protecting them from diseases like measles, polio and diphtheria.
Vaccines offer disease prevention, give children the opportunity to grow, learn and thrive, and reduce the burden on families and health care systems.
To reach millions of children under 5 in underserved and conflict-affected areas, WHO Yemen and partners are actively working to strengthen routine vaccination with the global Big Catch up initiative. Yet despite progress, many people in Yemen continue to face barriers. The ongoing conflict has weakened the health care infrastructure, and logistical obstacles mean families in remote and underserved areas face major challenges in accessing lifesaving immunizations. As a result, Yemen is grappling with severe outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.
During the 2024 measles outbreak in Yemen, 27 517 cases and 260 deaths were reported, among the highest figures globally. Since 2017, more than 1500 diphtheria cases have been recorded, resulting in over 200 fatalities. Since 2021, 272 children have been affected by circulating variant poliovirus. These alarming figures are a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of limited vaccine access.
WHO Yemen is committed to making immunization for all a reality. We are working closely with the Ministry of Public Health and Population to overcome barriers and ensure that every person in Yemen can access lifesaving vaccines.
Vaccination is not a privilege, it is a human right. Immunization for all is possible, and we can achieve it together. During World Immunization Week 2025, WHO Yemen is calling on governments, authorities, health organizations and communities to unite and ensure that everyone gets the protection they deserve.
“Immunization is not just about protecting individuals, it is about safeguarding the future of entire communities. In Yemen, as in the rest of the world, every child has the right to grow up healthy, and every life saved through immunization brings us closer to a more equitable and resilient society. We urge all stakeholders – representatives of all authorities, health workers, partners and communities – to redouble efforts to ensure every individual in Yemen, especially every child, has access to lifesaving vaccines, no matter where they live,” says Acting WHO Representative in Yemen Dr Ferima Coulibaly-Zerbo.
For a healthier, stronger Yemen and a safer world, let’s immunize for life.
Media contacts
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Since 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been the United Nations agency dedicated to advancing health for all, so that everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health. WHO leads global efforts to expand universal health coverage, direct and coordinate the world’s responses to health emergencies and connect nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable.