Each year, World Immunisation Week reminds us of a simple yet often ignored truth: vaccines save lives. The World Health Organisation’s theme this year is “Immunisation for All is Humanly Possible”, a call to recognise that the science of vaccines combined with a shared commitment to improving lives is necessary. People must be at the centre of our narrative; to fight for access to medicines and their benefits is to fight for the futures of individuals and communities.
In the Global South, immunisation is often the initial point of prevention and treatment against diseases that can affect entire families. For many communities, one dose signifies hope and an opportunity at a life maybe not offered to generations before them. Opportunities to attend school instead of battling polio, an opportunity to make friends rather than shielding from peers, and an opportunity for a parent to watch their newborn grow into an adult without fear of them catching measles or malaria at such a small age. Immunisation allows entire communities to flourish and grow. It is not a luxury but a lifeline.
Since 2000, vaccines have prevented more than 20 million deaths globally. This achievement speaks to the success of multilateral programmes like Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance to promote global collaboration on immunisation. However the fight towards immunisation for all is still not over.
Twice a week, Laila travels 25–30 km to vaccinate children in hard-to-access villages.
Photo credit: WHO Pakistan
To reach this target, we should broaden our perspective – social and economic inequalities must be taken into account. In parts of the Global South (Africa, Asia, and Latin America), millions of children each year are still without access to life-saving vaccines due to lack of information, weak healthcare systems, conflict, and food and water insecurity.
Furthermore, not all vaccines work exclusively with just a dose of medicine, often sufficient nourishment is needed to enhance their efficacy. Shots in arms are not enough: health programmes must be maintained in conjunction with nutrition and education if we are to most-effectively achieve the goal of global immunisation.
In the UK, immunisation programmes have dramatically reduced diseases like measles, mumps, and rubella. While pride should be taken in this success, we are not immune to the consequences of complacency. The resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases in recent years such as measles or even smaller cases of environmental polio present in water systems, reminds us that vigilance is vital.
The UK Government’s continued commitment to global immunisation efforts is not just the right thing to do on a human level, it is an act of foresight. Every bit of funding that is invested in global immunisation programmes creates a safer environment in the UK. Through supporting organisations like Gavi, the UK has played a critical role in delivering vaccines to some of the areas most vulnerable to preventable diseases.
Our connected world means that a health crisis in one country can easily become a global concern. Protecting lives across continents protects everyone. The domestic benefits felt from funding global immunisation efforts are key, but it is important not to lose sight of the moral imperative of the journey towards immunisation for all.
Every child deserves the same chance at a healthy life. The ability to prevent disease should not be determined by location or wealth. From Sub-Saharan Africa to a UK suburb, it is a matter of justice, integrity and shared humanity.
As we celebrate World Immunisation Week, let us be reminded that the measure of our society is in how we look out for one another, not just within borders but globally.