World Immunisation / Immunization Week 2026

World Immunisation Week is an annual global health campaign dedicated to promoting the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages from disease. This week-long event highlights the importance of immunization in preventing illness, saving lives, and fostering healthier communities. It also aims to raise awareness about the critical role vaccines play in achieving global health goals and reducing the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases.

What is World Immunisation Week?

World Immunisation Week is an initiative led by the World Health Organization (WHO) to promote the widespread use of vaccines and to increase public understanding of the value of immunization. The campaign encourages countries to strengthen their immunization programs, ensure access to vaccines for everyone, and address challenges such as vaccine hesitancy. It serves as a platform to celebrate the achievements of vaccination while also recognizing the work that still needs to be done to ensure that everyone, everywhere, can benefit from the life-saving power of vaccines.

When is World Immunisation Week?

World Immunisation Week is observed every year during the last week of April, from April 24th to April 30th. This week was chosen to coincide with the start of the annual immunization season in many parts of the world and to provide a consistent time for global awareness and action on immunization.

How to Get Involved

There are many ways to participate in World Immunisation Week:

• Get Vaccinated: Ensure that you and your family are up to date with all recommended vaccines. Encourage others to do the same and discuss the importance of vaccination with your community.
• Spread Awareness: Use social media, blogs, or community events to share information about the benefits of vaccination and to counteract misinformation. Highlight the success stories of vaccines in eliminating or controlling diseases.
• Support Immunization Programs: Donate to organizations that provide vaccines to underserved populations or volunteer with groups that work to improve access to immunization services around the world.
• Engage with Health Campaigns: Participate in or organize events, webinars, or educational workshops that focus on immunization and public health. These can help raise awareness and encourage more people to get vaccinated.
• Advocate for Policy Changes: Support policies and initiatives that promote universal access to vaccines, including funding for immunization programs and efforts to ensure vaccine equity in all regions of the world.

History of the Event

World Immunisation Week was established by the World Health Organization (WHO) to promote the benefits of vaccines and to encourage their use worldwide. The first official World Immunisation Week was held in 2012, building on the success of smaller regional initiatives. The campaign has since become a significant event on the global health calendar, with countries around the world participating in activities designed to increase vaccination coverage and public awareness. Each year, the campaign focuses on a specific theme, addressing current challenges and highlighting the ongoing efforts to improve global immunization rates.

Relevant Hashtags

• #WorldImmunisationWeek
• #VaccinesWork
• #ImmunizationForAll
• #EndVaccineHesitancy
• #VaccinationSavesLives