Menu APRIL 24–30 IS WORLD IMMUNIZATION WEEK Merck supports the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global initiative to raise awareness about the importance of vaccination in helping to prevent infectious diseases around the world. “ WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SAFE WATER, NO OTHER MODALITY, NOT EVEN ANTIBIOTICS, HAS HAD SUCH A MAJOR EFFECT ON MORTALITY REDUCTION AND POPULATION GROWTH.” – STANLEY A. PLOTKIN, MD – Vaccine Developer Emeritus Professor of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Emeritus Professor, Wistar Institute Vaccines are one of the greatest public health success stories of the last two centuries. This global awareness week not only celebrates the impact of vaccination, but also addresses the challenges that still exist. GLOBAL IMPACT OF VACCINATION ACCORDING TO WHO, VACCINES HELP PREVENT AT LEAST 30 INFECTIOUS DISEASES WORLDWIDE, CHALLENGES STILL REMAIN DESPITE SUCCESSES, ACCESS TO VACCINES REMAINS A CHALLENGE IN MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD AND FOR MANY PEOPLE GLOBALLY, AN ESTIMATED 19.4 MILLION CHILDREN HAVE NOT RECEIVED RECOMMENDED VACCINES IN THE U.S. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT VACCINATION PROGRAMS HAVE HELPED PREVENT MILLIONS OF CASES OF CONTAGIOUS DISEASES DESPITE RECOMMENDATIONS, INCREASES IN ADULT AND CERTAIN ADOLESCENT VACCINATION RATES ARE NEEDED, AS THESE REMAIN LOW Merck and its legacy companies have played an important role in the history of vaccines. For more than a century, Merck scientists have been discovering and developing vaccines that have impacted people of all ages. LEARN MORE ABOUT WORLD IMMUNIZATION WEEK: Copyright. © 2009-2017 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Forward-Looking Statement Privacy Terms of Use Site Map