Georgia celebrates Immunization Week from April 21-27, 2024

Georgia: European Immunization Week is celebrated annually in Georgia celebrates Immunization Week from April 21-27, 2024 the last week of April. This year, the Week of April 21-27 will mark the 50th anniversary of the Expanded Immunization Program (EPI) in the European region, including Georgia.

Its purpose is to raise public awareness about the importance of vaccination. The focus will be on the program’s achievements over 50 years and how vaccination protects the health of generations against vaccine-managed diseases.

Akhaltsikhe Municipality is actively participating in Immunization Week with a range of activities. The Public Health Department of the City Hall, a key player in this initiative, is organizing informational meetings in public schools, preschool institutions, and with interested audiences, ensuring everyone is well-informed about the importance of vaccination.

Leading the informational sessions are doctor epidemiologist Eter Khmaladze-Zedginidze and the public health department staff, who are experts in their field. They provide detailed information about current vaccines, the necessity of immunization, and the national calendar of preventive vaccinations to local residents, medical staff of educational institutions, students, and parents of kindergarten teachers.

It is worth noting that the foundation of the state immunization program in Georgia was laid in 1996. The program aims to protect the population against vaccine-managed infections and provides free vaccinations. To access these vaccinations, individuals can refer to the immunization calendar and epidemiological vaccines available at [specific location or website].

The state’s comprehensive immunization program offers protection against 13 infections, including tuberculosis, diphtheria, measles, tetanus, poliomyelitis, hepatitis B, rotavirus, human papillomavirus, pneumococcal disease, and Haemophilus influenza type B. The program also includes vaccination against seasonal flu and yellow fever for various risk groups, ensuring a wide range of protection for the population.

Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI)

The Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), an initiative launched by the World Health Organization in 1974, stands as a global endeavor to ensure equitable access to life-saving vaccines for every child, regardless of their geographic location or socioeconomic status.