1.5 million deaths occur each year from preventable diseases: WHO

By NewsGram Staff Writer

With 1 in 5 children still missing out on routine life-saving immunizations, 1.5 million deaths occur each year from preventable diseases, a WHO release said ahead of the World Immunization Week.

In the lead-up to World Immunization Week 2015 (24–30 April), WHO is calling for renewed efforts to get progress towards global vaccination back on course.

In 2013, nearly 22 million infants missed out on the required three doses of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis-containing vaccines (DTP3), many of them living in the world's poorest countries, WHO said.

"World Immunization Week creates a focused global platform to reinvigorate our collective efforts to ensure vaccination for every child, whoever they are and wherever they live," said Dr Flavia Bustreo, WHO Assistant Director-General, Family, Women's and Children's Health.

In 2012, all 194 WHO Member States at the World Health Assembly endorsed the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP), a commitment to ensure that no one misses out on vital immunization. However, a recent independent assessment report on GVAP progress rings an alarm bell, warning that vaccines are not being delivered equitably or reliably and that only 1 of the 6 key vaccination targets for 2015 is currently on track – the introduction of under-utilized vaccines.