In a global context marked by\u00a0sudden reductions and changes in\u00a0financial\u00a0resources,\u00a0rapidly escalating\u00a0conflicts,\u00a0increasing numbers of humanitarian and fragile settings,\u00a0evolving disease threats, and increasing programmatic complexity, SAGE stressed the critical importance of strong, evidence-based policies to support countries in making informed\u00a0vaccine and immunization\u00a0decisions.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Discussions and\u00a0recommendations\u00a0focused\u00a0on\u00a0optimizing\u00a0vaccine use in resource-constrained settings, updated guidance on COVID-19 vaccination for high-risk groups, strengthening typhoid vaccination strategies, and sustaining momentum toward polio eradication.\u00a0Looking to the future, SAGE also reflected on the next phase of immunization beyond 2030, underscoring that continued progress will depend on\u00a0public trust, strengthening national\u00a0disease\u00a0surveillance\u00a0systems, and ensuring that new vaccines\u00a0and\u00a0delivery\u00a0innovations\u00a0translate into real impact for all countries.\u00a0Above all, SAGE\u00a0reaffirmed that strong policy guidance, trusted national\u00a0immunization\u00a0and primary health care\u00a0programmes, and sustained global collaboration remain essential to ensure that vaccines continue to reach everyone\u00a0throughout their lives.\u00a0<\/p>\n
These discussions come at an important moment as we prepare to mark\u00a0World Immunization Week 2026<\/a> (24\u201330 April), a global opportunity to highlight the impact of vaccines and reaffirm\u00a0immunization\u00a0commitments\u00a0under the theme\u00a0\u201cFor every generation, vaccines work\u201d. Vaccines\u00a0remain\u00a0one of the most powerful\u00a0and most cost-effective\u00a0tools in public health.\u00a0Yet, behind every vaccination is a decision \u2014 by families, communities, and health workers \u2014 to protect the next generation.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Over the past 50 years alone, immunization\u00a0\u2013 and\u00a0the decisions people have made —\u00a0have\u00a0saved more than 150 million lives. Today, vaccines\u00a0are available that\u00a0protect people\u00a0at every stage of\u00a0life\u2014from infancy through adulthood\u00a0and into old age\u2014against more than 30 infections and deadly diseases.\u00a0Yet, with immunization forming the bedrock of primary healthcare in countries around the\u00a0world, nearly\u00a020 million children\u00a0missed at least one vaccine dose in 2024,\u00a0and\u00a0of these, over\u00a014 million receiving no doses at all. \u00a0This\u00a0reminds\u00a0us that progress cannot be taken for granted, back-sliding is an\u00a0ever-present\u00a0risk,\u00a0and\u00a0national political leadership is at the heart of\u00a0immunization\u00a0programme\u00a0strength.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Behind every vaccination is an entire system of health workers, volunteers, scientists, governments, clinics, schools, and most importantly, conversations built on patience, listening, and trust.\u00a0By sharing\u00a0accurate\u00a0information, listening to communities, and strengthening confidence in vaccination,\u00a0programmes\u00a0can ensure that families everywhere are\u00a0enabled\u00a0to make informed decisions, based on facts not fear,\u00a0that protect themselves, their children, and their communities.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n As we\u00a0have now\u00a0reached\u00a0the midpoint of the\u00a0Immunization Agenda 2030<\/a>,\u00a0our collective responsibility is clear: prevent backsliding, close immunity gaps, and ensure that the benefits of scientific progress reach\u00a0everyone, everywhere.\u00a0<\/p>\n