The 2019 Vaccination Week takes place from April 24 to April 30.
This year again, the WHO emphasizes vaccinating every child to prevent the concerned diseases and protect their lives.
The theme chosen in France for this 13th edition is “child vaccination,” to continue educational actions on vaccination in the context of the recent extension of vaccination obligations for children under two.
In the region, ARS PACA, CRES PACA, and CODES PACA have mobilized their partners: cities, institutions, hospitals, nursing schools, health insurance schemes, independent health professionals, associations… to carry out awareness, information, and vaccination actions throughout the region.
Vaccination is one of the most effective public health actions. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 2 to 3 million lives are saved each year thanks to this simple preventive measure. However, a certain distrust remains among parts of the French population, leading to delays in vaccinations and thus difficulties in eliminating certain serious diseases such as measles.
Following the citizen consultation on vaccination, the necessity to reduce infectious diseases led public authorities to extend vaccination obligations for children under the age of 2. For infants born from January 1, 2018, vaccinations against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, pertussis, haemophilus influenzae b, hepatitis B, meningococcal C, pneumococcal, measles, mumps, and rubella are mandatory before the age of 2.
The reform is starting to show results, but the promotion of vaccination at all ages of life must continue.
