World Immunisation Week 2025
The World Health Organization (WHO) calls for increased collaboration between health workers, governments, and communities whose combined efforts have helped to eradicate dangerous diseases like smallpox and polio over the years.
What is World Immunisation Week about?
According to the WHO, vaccinations have improved infant survival rates by 40% over the last 50 years, with the measles vaccine alone responsible for 60% of those lives saved.
However, the rising rates of vaccine hesitancy could undo global efforts to prevent various diseases.
To promote the benefits of vaccination, WHO is continuing its immunisation campaign, launched last year, with the theme of “Immunisation for all is Humanly Possible” to reinforce the value of vaccines in saving lives and protecting communities. The campaign aims to encourage those who can get vaccinated to do so ensuring that we can continue more than 50 years of progress towards eradicating diseases like measles, polio, and malaria.
WHO is promoting 5 key messages during this week:
- Immunisation is one of Humanity’s Greatest Achievements
Vaccines save the lives of 3 million people a year, or 6 people every minute. It is the most effective health initiative across the world.
- Vaccines for one person also keep other people safe
Preventing diseases is less expensive than treating diseases and helps us lower the strain on our NHS. By getting vaccinated, you can protect your community by preventing diseases from spreading.
- Vaccines ensure less disease and more life
Vaccination prevents diseases at all stages of life. Vaccinated children have the opportunity to grow, learn, and become healthy adults.
- Not everyone has the same access to life-saving vaccines
In 2023, WHO estimated that 14.5 million children globally did not receive any vaccine, often due to poverty or the inability to access immunisation. Access to a vaccine is a human right and collective effort is needed to ensure that every child is protected from vaccine-preventable diseases.
- Immunisation for all is Humanly Possible
The central message that WHO is pushing this year highlights that we need to intensify our efforts to protect everyone using vaccines. This includes through the development of new vaccines and distribution of existing vaccines to protect everyone from health threats. Getting vaccinated protects you, your family, and your community.
For further resources on the importance and benefits of vaccination click here.
How are we promoting vaccine uptake in Westminster?
We previously carried out a project in which we engaged with Westminster residents to understand reasons behind low vaccine uptake and how vaccine hesitancy can contribute to this.
Participants who vaccinated less than they used to told us that this was because they felt pressured into vaccinating, believed that their health had become worse due to vaccinations like the COVID-19 vaccine, and feared the negative side-effects of vaccines. Vaccine misinformation and political concerns were also major reasons for low vaccine uptake from those who have never received vaccinations or had always been vaccine hesitant. You can read the full report here.
COVID-19 spring booster programme
We would also like to take this opportunity to remind you that if you are aged 75 years or older, a resident in a care home for older adults, or are 6 months and older and have a condition that means you are immunosuppressed, you are eligible for the NHS seasonal COVID-19 vaccination programme. You can book your vaccination online through the national booking system (NBS). For more information, read our article here.
MMR pop up hubs
Additionally, Westminster City Council has partnered with the NHS to deliver pop up hubs and give people an opportunity to get vaccinated against Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR). Find out more here.
