Two UN agencies said on Monday that as scientists around the world work to develop a vaccine against the novel coronavirus, governments must use every opportunity possible to protect people from the many diseases for which vaccines are already available.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a joint statement that the urgent need for a COVID-19 vaccine underscores the pivotal role immunizations play in protecting lives and economies.
“When routine vaccinations are missed, the risk of disease outbreaks increases,” the joint statement said.
According to the joint statement, in 2018, approximately 527,000 children missed their first dose of measles-containing vaccine in the WHO European Region, and then in 2019, the measles virus exposed immunity gaps in Europe, infecting over 100,000 people across all age groups.
“Protecting children, adolescents and adults from vaccine-preventable diseases through vaccination is a must for the sustainability of health care systems,” the statement noted.
The two agencies also urged countries to be prepared to vaccinate those at higher risk and ensure everyone, including the most marginalized, will have equal access to a COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available.
“As we step into a new future, vaccines will continue to serve as a foundation for health and well-being for all. It is through solidarity, joint action and tireless commitment to leaving no one behind that we can create a healthier future together,” read the statement. Enditem
