About half a million children died in 2011 due to lack of immunization UNICEF has said.
The body has said it will mark the beginning of World Immunization Week by emphasizing the need for every infant to receive immunization to protect their health stating that vaccines are estimated to save the lives of 2 to 3 million children each year.
UNICEF said the week According to UNICEF one in five children is not being reached with vital vaccines due to factors like social or geographical exclusion, lack of resources, weak health systems or conflicts such as those raging today in Syria and parts of West Africa. In 2011, 22.4 million children were not immunized – an increase of over one million from the preceding year.
The main reason for this being inequalities that persist within and between countries. Children from wealthy families have the greatest access to the best health services in any given country, and quite easily enjoy the highest rates of immunization coverage.
UNICEF states that political support is needed to extend the benefits of vaccines to children living in the poorest families and the most remote communities.
During World Immunization Week 2013, UNICEF, with world governments and UN partners, will be raising awareness about the urgency of reaching every last child through country level events and communications activities on social and traditional media.
