In May 2012, 194 Member States of the World Health Assembly endorsed a plan they hoped would help prevent millions of deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases through universal access to immunizations.  This event marked the beginning of the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP).  GVAP is designed to prevent millions of deaths by 2020 through more equitable access to existing vaccines for people in all communities around the globe.  2017 marks the halfway point of this plan.

World Immunization Week – commemorated 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 and is widely recognized as one of the world’s most successful and cost-effective health interventions. Despite this focused effort, today there are still 19.4 million unvaccinated and under-vaccinated children in the world.

The campaign’s main goal is raising awareness about the about the critical importance of full immunization by the World Health Organization (WHO).   But despite improvements in many countries and a strong global rate of new vaccines introduction, vaccinations for all diseases targeted for elimination are behind schedule.  This year the WHO and its partners aim is to inform the public on three major points:

Highlight the importance of immunization as a top global health investment priority.

Promote understanding of the action steps required to achieve the Global Vaccine Action Plan.

Showcase immunization’s role in sustainable development and global health security.

Today we celebrate the amazing results of the last 16 year fight against malaria.    World Malaria Day commemorates the date in 2000, when 44 African leaders met in Nigeria and committed their countries to reducing malaria-related deaths.

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.   In 2015, 91 countries had ongoing malaria transmission.  Malaria is preventable and curable, and increased efforts are dramatically reducing the malaria burden in many places

Let’s Close the Gap

Between 2010 and 2015, malaria incidence among populations at risk (the rate of new cases) fell by 21% globally. In that same period, malaria mortality rates among populations at risk fell by 29% globally among all age groups, and by 35% among children under 5.   Sub-Saharan Africa carries a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. In 2015, the region was home to 90% of malaria cases and 92% of malaria deaths

In addition to the 44 African leaders who pledged to take this path in 2000, Asian leaders have joined the fight.  Dozens of global partners have contributed funds, staff, supplies, and expertise to enable us to achieve these amazing results:   the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the US government, the UK government, millions of individuals who have donated to the many non-governmental agencies working to end malaria.