10 facts on immunization

December 2011

Two mothers with babies on their laps sitting outside a health centre.
WHO/Hayatee Hasan

Immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases is essential to reaching Millennium Development Goal 4 on reducing under-five mortality by two thirds by 2015. This is because millions of children die from diseases that can be prevented through vaccines. Progress is being made. For example, in 2010 an estimated 109 million children under the age of one were vaccinated with three doses of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP3) vaccine.

Immunization is also a key strategy to ensure global health and to respond to the threat of emerging infections such as pandemic influenza.

WHO's work in this area includes standard-setting; research and development; vaccine regulation, quality and safety; vaccine supply; immunization financing; and immunization system strengthening.

These activities support the goals of the Global Immunization Vision and Strategy 2006-2015, which has been adopted by many countries as an overarching strategic framework for immunization.

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