Kate O'Brien, Director of the Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals at WHO
Recent discussions at the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) meeting (9-12 March) highlighted both the extraordinary progress achieved by immunization programmes and the growing challenges that lie ahead.
In a global context marked by sudden reductions and changes in financial resources, rapidly escalating conflicts, increasing numbers of humanitarian and fragile settings, evolving disease threats, and increasing programmatic complexity, SAGE stressed the critical importance of strong, evidence-based policies to support countries in making informed vaccine and immunization decisions.
Discussions and recommendations focused on optimizing vaccine use in resource-constrained settings, updated guidance on COVID-19 vaccination for high-risk groups, strengthening typhoid vaccination strategies, and sustaining momentum toward polio eradication. Looking to the future, SAGE also reflected on the next phase of immunization beyond 2030, underscoring that continued progress will depend on public trust, strengthening national disease surveillance systems, and ensuring that new vaccines and delivery innovations translate into real impact for all countries. Above all, SAGE reaffirmed that strong policy guidance, trusted national immunization and primary health care programmes, and sustained global collaboration remain essential to ensure that vaccines continue to reach everyone throughout their lives.
These discussions come at an important moment as we prepare to mark World Immunization Week 2026 (24–30 April), a global opportunity to highlight the impact of vaccines and reaffirm immunization commitments under the theme “For every generation, vaccines work”. Vaccines remain one of the most powerful and most cost-effective tools in public health. Yet, behind every vaccination is a decision — by families, communities, and health workers — to protect the next generation.
Over the past 50 years alone, immunization – and the decisions people have made -- have saved more than 150 million lives. Today, vaccines are available that protect people at every stage of life—from infancy through adulthood and into old age—against more than 30 infections and deadly diseases. Yet, with immunization forming the bedrock of primary healthcare in countries around the world, nearly 20 million children missed at least one vaccine dose in 2024, and of these, over 14 million receiving no doses at all. This reminds us that progress cannot be taken for granted, back-sliding is an ever-present risk, and national political leadership is at the heart of immunization programme strength.
Behind every vaccination is an entire system of health workers, volunteers, scientists, governments, clinics, schools, and most importantly, conversations built on patience, listening, and trust. By sharing accurate information, listening to communities, and strengthening confidence in vaccination, programmes can ensure that families everywhere are enabled to make informed decisions, based on facts not fear, that protect themselves, their children, and their communities.
As we have now reached the midpoint of the Immunization Agenda 2030, our collective responsibility is clear: prevent backsliding, close immunity gaps, and ensure that the benefits of scientific progress reach everyone, everywhere.
These priorities will continue to guide discussions at the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly (18–23 May 2026), where Member States will consider the future of global health cooperation, financing, and the evolving global health architecture. In a changing world, immunization remains a shared global good — one that saves lives, stops outbreaks, strengthens health systems, prepares and responds to emergencies when they hit, and protects generations past, present, and future.
For every generation, vaccines work.
#VaccinesWork #WorldImmunizationWeek
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