World Immunization Week 2025
23 April 2025
Immunization for All is Humanly Possible
World Immunization Week is a global initiative organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the last week of April every year aiming to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs).
This year’s theme “Immunization for All is Humanly Possible” aims to ensure even more children, adolescents, adults and their communities are protected against VPDs. Immunisation is recognized as one of the most safe and effective public health interventions, protecting millions of people each year globally from serious and often deadly diseases including measles, pertussis, hepatitis B and even some forms of cancer. WHO further points out that over the last 50 years, vaccines have saved at least 154 million lives, translating to 1 life saved per 10 seconds for five decades.
#VaccinesWork
With the continued support from parents, schools and health professionals over the years, the long-established Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme (HKCIP) has successfully brought many VPDs under control in Hong Kong. After global smallpox eradication in 1980, poliomyelitis was eradicated locally in 2000, while measles and rubella were declared eliminated in 2016 and 2021 respectively.
In Hong Kong, a comprehensive immunisation programme has been provided for all children since the 1960s through Maternal and Child Care Centres and School Immunisation Teams of the Department of Health (DH). As recommended by the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases under the Centre for Health Protection of the DH, children from birth to primary six currently receive different types of vaccines and boosters under the HKCIP to protect them from tuberculosis, poliomyelitis, hepatitis B, diphtheria, whooping cough (pertussis), tetanus, pneumococcal infection, chickenpox, measles, mumps and rubella. To prevent cervical cancer, eligible female primary school students are provided with human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. In addition to these childhood vaccines, the Government also provides immunisation against seasonal influenza, pneumococcal disease and COVID-19 for populations considered at risk of infection.
The following figure illustrates the dramatic decrease in the notifications of four VPD examples after launching of the respective immunisation programme.
The declined vaccination rates in many overseas countries during COVID-19 pandemic, which was yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, has resulted in recent resurgence of measles in some parts of North America, Europe and Asia, underscoring the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage to sustain herd immunity.
As delays in vaccination will weaken the protection for the children against relevant infectious diseases, parents are reminded to maintain up-to-date immunisation for their children for timely and comprehensive protection. Parents of preschool children who have not yet received the age-appropriate vaccines are urged to make an appointment at their registered Maternal and Child Health Centres as soon as possible, or consult their family doctors for vaccination. Vaccination under the HKCIP at primary schools will be arranged by the DH's School Immunisation Teams at schools. Parents with children who are currently not residing in Hong Kong are advised to continue immunisation in their place of residence. For healthcare professionals, every encounter with a child represents an opportunity for vaccination and discussion with parents.
Members of the public who are planning to travel to places with outbreaks or high incidence of vaccine preventable diseases (e.g. measles and rubella) should review their vaccination history and past medical history, especially non-local born people who might not have received their vaccinations during childhood. For those with incomplete vaccination, unknown vaccination history or unknown immunity, they are urged to consult their doctor for advice on vaccination at least two weeks before departure.
Catch-up vaccinations are advised for immigrants, overseas students or migrant workers with unknown immune status, uncertain or incomplete vaccination status, preferably prior to their arrival.
Vaccines can protect ourselves and others. Get vaccinated on time to build a healthier future for all.
