World Immunization Week begins on 20th April. This year’s global slogan is “Protect your world – get vaccinated”, and I wanted to share with you a quote from World Hepatitis Alliance President, Charles Gore, on immunization for hepatitis.
Charles Gore, President of the World Hepatitis Alliance, said, “Vaccination is key strategy in achieving a healthy world. Approximately 600,000 people die every year from hepatitis B, an entirely preventable disease for which there is a vaccine.
Currently, global hepatitis B vaccine coverage is estimated at 75%; more needs to be done to ensure there is proper coverage, including universal neonatal coverage in all countries. If we only treat existing infections, we will always be behind the curve. We badly need to improve prevention in order to create a world without viral hepatitis.”
Hepatitis B is one of the most common viral infections in the world. The WHO estimates that two billion people have been infected with the hepatitis B virus and approximately 350 million people are living with chronic (lifelong) infections. 500,000 – 700,000 people die every year from hepatitis B.
Visit www.worldhepatitisalliance.org for more information.
You can find out more about World Immunization Day on the WHO website.
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