Protect the generation with immunisation

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Every last week of April, the global health calendar marks a major agenda, namely World Immunisation Week (WIW). Since it was initiated by the World Health Assembly (WHA) in May 2012, this momentum has consistently voiced the message that immunisation is the most effective way to prevent infectious diseases. WIW serves as a strategic reminder that immunisation, to this day, remains the best and most efficient preventive effort in improving public health quality. This major agenda also serves as an optimistic call for all levels of society to continue synergising, providing attention and care, to ensure the sustainability of health benefits that have been felt across generations. This urgency is supported by historical facts. A study led by the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that global immunisation efforts over the past five decades have saved around 154 million lives, of which 101 million are infants. The study emphasises that among various health interventions, immunisation provides the greatest contribution to ensuring every child can live a healthy life into adulthood. To increase public awareness and support from various parties for the immunisation programme, the main message of World Immunisation Week continues to be echoed. Because without collective awareness, the threat of dangerous diseases that should be controlled can re-emerge gradually. World Immunisation Week 2026 at the global level carries the theme For Every Generation, Vaccines Work. Meanwhile, Indonesia adopts the theme ‘Complete Immunisation Throughout Life’. This message is elaborated through practical steps in daily life, starting from the importance of equipping oneself with the right information so that child protection remains complete, to building a tradition of making every birthday a reminder to ensure immunisation status. In addition, the public is encouraged to always be disciplined in completing doses according to age and to protect all family members through protection from an early age.