Turkmenistan Launches Vaccination Awareness Campaign for European Immunization Week 2024

Turkmenistan has launched a vaccination awareness campaign to highlight the importance of immunization, coinciding with the European Immunization Week from April 21 to 27, 2024. The campaign is part of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), a global initiative launched in 1974 to raise awareness about the benefits of core vaccines recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The WHO and the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan have been working together for over three decades to strengthen the national healthcare system, with the partnership within the EPI being a central element of this cooperation. Egor Zaitsev, the WHO Representative in Turkmenistan, stated that "the country has worked with WHO for over three decades to strengthen its national healthcare system, with the EPI partnership being a central part of this collaboration."

Turkmenistan guarantees free vaccination against 14 infections under the national immunization schedule for all, and in 2016, it was one of the first countries to introduce vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) for both girls and boys. The country has a high vaccination coverage rate of 98%, and vaccination has led to the elimination of dangerous diseases such as measles and rubella.

Why this matters: The EPI has been one of the greatest public health successes of the 20th and 21st centuries, saving up to 5 million lives per year. Turkmenistan's participation in the 50th anniversary celebration of the EPI highlights the country's commitment to public health and the importance of global partnerships in promoting immunization.

In 2020, the WHO and the European Union launched a joint project for Central Asian countries, including Turkmenistan, to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. The WHO also collaborates with UN partner agencies and international donors to provide support and expertise to national health professionals in expanding the EPI in Turkmenistan and building a healthier society across the European Region.

The European Immunization Agenda 2030, adopted by the Member States of the WHO European Region, pays special attention to equitable access to vaccines for all, life-course vaccination, and cooperation. The EPI has been a major public health success, with the WHO European Region seeing a dramatic increase in vaccination rates and the elimination of diseases like measles and polio.

Turkmenistan's vaccination awareness campaign, as part of the European Immunization Week 2024, underscores the country's commitment to public health and the importance of the EPI in promoting immunization. The success of the EPI in Turkmenistan, with its high vaccination coverage and the elimination of dangerous diseases, serves as a testament to the effectiveness of the program and the collaboration between the WHO and the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan.

Key Takeaways

• Turkmenistan launches vaccination awareness campaign for Immunization Week 2024.
• Turkmenistan's 3-decade partnership with WHO strengthens its national healthcare system.
• Turkmenistan has 98% vaccination coverage and has eliminated measles and rubella.
• EPI has saved up to 5 million lives per year, a major public health success.
• Turkmenistan's commitment to EPI highlights importance of global health partnerships.