Each year, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes World Immunization Week during the last week of April. For 2020, the theme was #VaccinesWork for All, and the WHO focused its awareness campaign on, “how vaccines as well as the people who develop, deliver and receive them are . . . champions by working to protect the health of everyone, everywhere.”
Free Resources from the WHO for Raising Awareness about the Benefits of Vaccines
Along with encouraging educators and health care providers to raise awareness about the benefits of vaccination, the WHO publishes a number of free resources to help promote World Immunization Week as well. Here is an overview of some of the resources from World Immunization Week 2020:
- Statistics and Key Messages Supporting #VaccinesWork for All – According to the WHO, while vaccination rates worldwide have been relatively high, “all targets for disease elimination – including measles, rubella and maternal and neonatal tetanus – are unlikely to be achieved by the end of 2020.” With this in mind, the WHO is encouraging educators and health care professionals to continue working to help children and adults understand the importance of widespread vaccination.
- Social Media Graphics – The WHO has published several graphics that it is encouraging people to share on social media in order to raise awareness of the importance of immunization. Along with images, each of these graphics contains one of the WHO’s key messages and its theme, #VaccinesWork for All.
- VIDEO: How Do Vaccines Work? – In this short video, the WHO explains how vaccines protect us by bolstering our bodies’ natural defenses and helping ensure that our immune systems are strong enough to fight off the illnesses against which vaccines protect against.
- VIDEO: Why Should I Get Vaccinated? – In this short video, the WHO provides an overview of the primary benefits of vaccination against illnesses such as measles, meningitis, tetanus and polio, and notes that getting vaccinated not only protects the individual who is immunized, but protects people around them as well.
- Stories about Vaccine Champions – The WHO has also published the stories of several individuals who are helping to promote vaccination around the world. These “vaccine champions” include doctors, nurses, and other individuals working to prevent the spread of infectious diseases in Europe, Africa, Asia, South America and Central America.
Understanding the Benefits of Vaccination and the Potential Risks Involved
For parents and other adults, it is important to have an accurate understanding of the benefits of vaccination—not just for ourselves, but for others as well. It is also important to understand the risks, as a number of illnesses and injuries are linked to vaccines. While these illnesses and injuries are relatively rare, they can potentially lead to serious complications for those who are diagnosed; and, in the United States, individuals who are diagnosed with vaccine-related illnesses and injuries can seek financial compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP).
Contact the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC
At the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, we provide nationwide legal representation for claims under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). If you or a member of your family has been diagnosed with a vaccine-related illness or injury, you can call 202-800-1711 or contact us online to speak with an experienced vaccine lawyer for free.
Leah Durant Bio
Experienced litigation attorney Leah Durant focuses on representing clients in complex vaccine litigation matters. Leah Durant is the owner and principal attorney of the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, a litigation firm based in Washington, DC. Leah Durant and her staff represent clients and their families who suffer from vaccine-related injuries, adverse vaccine reactions and vaccine-related deaths. The Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC is dedicated to assisting individuals in recovering the highest level of compensation as quickly and efficiently as possible. To learn more, contact vaccine attorney Leah Durant today.