WHO EMRO - 2025

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World Immunization Week 2025

Immunization for All is Humanly Possible

Vaccines are one of the humanity’s greatest achievements. Over the last 50 years, essential vaccines have saved 154 million lives, including 25 ,illion lives in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Vaccines account for 40% of the improvement in infant survival over the last half century, enabling more children than ever before to celebrate their first birthday

Despite these significant gains, progress has stalled. In 2023, 14.5 million children worldwide didn’t receive any routine vaccine dose, including nearly 3 million children in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

Inequities, conflict, misinformation and funding gaps continue to undermine immunization efforts, leaving millions vulnerable

To meet the goal of universal access to lifesaving vaccines by 2030 will require substantial investments in immunization programmes.

Immunization programmes not only protect children. They safeguard people of all ages, from pregnant women to grandparents. Vaccines can prevent over 30 infections across the life course, including life-threatening diseases like pneumonia, flu and cervical cancer.

Childhood vaccination programmes such as those for polio and measles save young lives while immunization for adults, including for influenza and pneumococcus, helps ensure people live longer and healthier.

Global health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and the resurgence of polio in conflict zones make renewed focus on immunization more urgent than ever, and the introduction of new vaccines for malaria, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) has expanded the opportunity to protect more people globally.

World Immunization Week 2025

Immunization for All is Humanly Possible

World Immunization Week 2025, observed from 24–30 April, brings together the global health community to highlight the lifesaving power of vaccines and call for renewed commitment to immunization for all. Under the banner Immunization for All is Humanly Possible, this year’s campaign stresses how, with collective efforts and investment, everyone can be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases.

25 million lives

essential vaccines have saved in the Region over the last 50 years

3 million children

in the Eastern Mediterranean Region didn’t receive any routine vaccine dose, in 2023.

Every One dollar

invested in vaccines generates a return of up to US$ 44 in economic benefits.

22 million children

didn’t receive any dose of measles vaccine including 4 million children in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

Everyone has a role

World Immunization Week 2025 not only raises awareness about the importance of vaccines, it highlights how everyone can take action.

Individuals can ensure they and their families are vaccinated on time and share facts to help dispel misinformation.

Health workers can use check-ups as an opportunity to remind caregivers about the importance of keeping children up to date with vaccinations. Communities can show their support by engaging in World Immunization Week and promoting the benefits of vaccines.

Governments play a critical role. By prioritizing investments in immunization at local and national levels, they can strengthen primary health care system and ensure that every child, regardless of where they are, has access to lifesaving vaccines. Governments are urged to invest in resilient immunization systems, especially in low-coverage areas and among zero-dose children, to ensure protection for all.

Key messages

Vaccines are one of the humanity’s greatest achievements. Over the last 50 years, essential vaccines have saved 154 million lives, including 25 ,illion lives in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Vaccines account for 40% of the improvement in infant survival over the last half century, enabling more children than ever before to celebrate their first birthday.

Despite these significant gains, progress has stalled. In 2023, 14.5 million children worldwide didn’t receive any routine vaccine dose, including nearly 3 million children in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

» Read more message

Call for action

WIW emphasizes the urgency of the situation, calling on governments to prioritize immunization investments and promote regional solidarity to close gaps. Vaccinating all children through routine and supplementary immunization efforts is crucial protect from deadly diseases like measles and to stop wild poliovirus, which remains endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and to preventing further outbreaks of variant poliovirus.

As the campaign makes clear: “We are at a critical moment in global health. To protect one of humanity’s greatest achievements, we must be relentless in reaching every child and person with vaccines – from infants to elders, from rural communities to conflict zones. Immunization for all is humanly possible, and it is within our reach if we work together.”