World Immunization Week, celebrated between April 24–30, once again highlights the vital role of immunization in individual and public health. Organized under the leadership of the World Health Organization (WHO), this global awareness week aims to control vaccine-preventable diseases and ensure equitable access to vaccines through various campaigns and public events.
Vaccination is widely recognized as one of the most effective and cost-efficient public health interventions in medicine. Scientific studies show that childhood immunizations prevent approximately four million deaths globally each year. However, the disruption of routine vaccination programs during the COVID-19 pandemic has left millions of children vulnerable to infectious diseases, underscoring the urgency of maintaining and expanding immunization efforts.
Experts warn that misinformation and anti-vaccine rhetoric pose significant risks to both individual and societal health. The spread of scientifically unfounded claims, particularly on social media, continues to erode public trust in vaccines and contributes to the resurgence of previously controlled diseases. In this regard, nurses and other healthcare professionals play a key role in educating and guiding individuals with evidence-based information.
During Vaccination Week, informative seminars, educational campaigns, and mobile vaccination clinics are held across the country. Ensuring that all members of the community—especially children, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with chronic illnesses—receive timely vaccinations is a cornerstone of public health policy.
It is important to remember that vaccines protect not only the individual, but the whole community. Expanding access to immunization services and reducing disease burden are crucial steps in building a healthier future. Vaccination Week serves as a call to awareness and action for all of society.
