WHO estimates 26 million lives can be saved through immunization efforts

The World Health Organization’s Coordinator for Programme and Impact Monitoring to the Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals Dr. Thomas Cherian called for international government to improve vaccination programs to save lives. Cherian spoke at the Excellence in Paediatrics Conference in Qatar, which was organized by the Sidra Medical and Research Center. He estimated that 26 million deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases would be avoided by 2024 if vaccination campaigns began now. “While immunization already prevents millions of deaths and uncounted illnesses, we must continue working together in supporting countries to deliver life-saving vaccines to people in every community and in every country,” Cherian said. “Together, we can make the Global Vaccine Action Plan vision ― a world in which all individuals and communities enjoy lives free from vaccine-preventable diseases ― a reality.” Cherian said this vision is foreseeable if the governments take initiative and run an immunization program that increases access to affordable...