WHO: World Immunization Week 2013
“…World Immunization Week starts 20 April with its call to “Protect your world, get vaccinated” and a range of activities in some 180 countries to help immunize more children against preventable diseases.

“We have seen some major advances in the development and delivery of vaccines in the past few years,” said Dr Flavia Bustreo, Assistant Director-General at WHO. “But many countries still face obstacles in getting life-saving vaccines to every child who needs them.”

Many countries encounter serious challenges in vaccine supply and logistics, from inability to keep vaccines at the correct temperature, to record keeping which enables community health workers to ensure the right vaccines reach the children who need them.

Inefficient health and delivery systems threaten access, availability, quality – and health outcomes….

World Immunization Week, with its call to “Protect your world, get vaccinated” is an opportunity to raise global awareness of the health benefits of vaccination. Governments, development partners, international organizations, manufacturers, health professionals, academia, civil society, communities and individuals come together in 180 countries to promote the goal of universal immunization coverage – and to overcome challenges to achieving it.

Different geographical regions emphasize different themes to adapt to their specific needs. In World Immunization Week 2013 the regional focus is as follows:
– Africa: Save lives, Prevent disabilities, Vaccinate!
– The Americas: Vaccination, a shared responsibility.
– Eastern Mediterranean: Stop measles now!
– Europe: Protect. Prevent. Immunize.
– South-East Asia: Intensification of routine immunization.
– Western Pacific: Finish the job – No more measles for anyone.

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2013/world_immunization_week_20130418/en/index.html