European Immunization Week helps highlight and boost the positive impact of vaccines

17-05-2018

WHO

Public EIW event to raise awareness in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. From left: Dr Venko Filipche, Minister of Health; Dr Jihane Tawilah, WHO Representative in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; Ms Mila Carovska, Minister of Labour and Social Policy (with her son); Professor Aleksandra Gzozdanova, President of the National Committee on Immunization.

From immunization superheroes to supermoms, countless individuals helped ensure that European Immunization Week (EIW) on 23–29 April 2018 was a great success in keeping vaccines at the top of political and personal agendas across the WHO European Region.

With immunization rates stalled and measles still circulating in some countries, EIW 2018 served as an important platform to raise awareness of the benefits and importanceRoyal Highness The Crown Princess of Denmark, Patron of WHO/Europe, focused on the importance of vaccination as a shared responsibility: “Every one of us plays a role in achieving a healthier future for all. By ensuring ourselves and our children are vaccinated we prevent the spread of dangerous infections and by seeking and sharing credible and trustworthy information we empower ourselves and others to make the right decisions”.

In Hungary, celebrities and high-level politicians were featured in a highly successful and engaging social media campaign, and in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia ministers participated in a public event in a city park.

In schools, universities, pharmacies and clinics

Primary and secondary students and teachers in Austria were offered free vaccination to increase immunization coverage in schools and public spaces. In