World and European Immunisation Week campaigns

World Immunisation Week runs from 24 to 30 April 2021, promoting the use of immunisations to protect people of all ages against disease. The theme this year is ‘Vaccines bring us closer’, a message that aims to build worldwide trust in vaccinations, in order to save lives and protect the health and wellbeing of all.

As the world currently focuses on new vaccines to protect against COVID-19, the campaign highlights the importance of ensuring routine vaccinations are not missed. Many children have not been vaccinated during the global pandemic, leaving them at risk of diseases such as measles and polio. As part of World Immunization Week 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO), their partners and individuals around the world are uniting to: 

• increase trust and confidence in vaccines to maintain or increase vaccine acceptance 
• increase investment in vaccines, including routine immunisation, and remove the barriers preventing people from accessing them

In addition, the WHO European Region will celebrate European Immunisation Week, which as in previous years overlaps World Immunisation Week, running this year from 26 April to 2 May. The theme of European Immunisation Week also reflects that of World Immunisation Week, with the focus being on COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination.

Further information on World Immunisation Week and European Immunisation Week can be found on their respective WHO websites, while the @publichealthscotland Instagram account and the @NHSImmuniseScot Twitter account can be followed to keep up-to-date with the European Immunisation Week campaign in Scotland.

Information for health professionals about vaccination practice can be found on the TRAVAX website.

Source: TRAVAX, 21 April 2021