From April 21 to 27 we celebrate the European Immunization Week, BNR reported. The goal of the initiative is to raise awareness of why immunizations are important to prevent disease and protect life, according to the Regional Office for Europe of the World Health Organization.
This year, the week is of particular importance, WHO adds, because the campaign coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Expanded Program on Immunization. It was established in 1974 with the idea of making vaccines available to all children around the world. For this reason, European Immunization Week will celebrate the program's achievements in protecting several generations of people from serious vaccine-preventable diseases.
The campaign will also highlight the urgent need for higher, fair and equitable vaccination coverage in all communities, so that there are no new outbreaks of diseases for which immunization preparations are available.
In connection with these goals, on Friday the European Union and the WHO for the Europe region announced that they will cooperate in a project worth 3 million euros. It is financed under the "European Union in Support of Health" program. and will attempt to improve vaccination coverage in vulnerable populations. Special attention will be given to Roma communities, who are often disproportionately affected by vaccine-preventable diseases.