27 April – 3 May
Every year, the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region holds the European Immunization Week (EIW) to promote the idea that immunization is of paramount importance for disease prevention and life protection. This year, the key theme of EIW, held under the slogan "Achieve immunization for all – it is within our power," will be the need to rapidly achieve high rates of equitable vaccination coverage in all communities to prevent disease outbreaks now and in the future.
As part of the campaign, information about vaccines and the importance of covering every person with health protection measures through immunization will be disseminated. This year, EIW thematic events, with the support of a wide range of partners, will further promote joint initiatives with young professionals and youth organizations involved in supporting immunization.
Vaccination is one of the most significant achievements in medicine. Thanks to preventive vaccinations, smallpox has been eradicated, and the geographical spread of the polio virus has been reduced. Immunization saves over 3 million children's lives annually.
Currently, with the help of vaccines, we can prevent more than 30 infectious diseases.
In the Republic of Belarus, the National Vaccination Schedule is in effect, according to which immunization is carried out against 12 infectious diseases: viral hepatitis B; tuberculosis; pertussis; diphtheria; tetanus; poliomyelitis; Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib infection); measles; mumps; rubella; pneumococcal infection; papillomavirus infection; influenza.
In addition to scheduled preventive vaccinations, immunization is carried out according to epidemic indications against 18 infections: rabies, brucellosis, chickenpox, viral hepatitis A, viral hepatitis B, diphtheria, yellow fever, tick-borne encephalitis, pertussis, measles, rubella, leptospirosis, poliomyelitis, anthrax, tetanus, tularemia, plague, mumps.
Preventive vaccinations included in the national schedule are carried out in state healthcare organizations, as well as in non-state healthcare organizations that have a special permit (license) for medical activities issued in the manner prescribed by law.
Preventive vaccinations against infectious diseases for groups of children and adults not included in the National Vaccination Schedule and the List of Preventive Vaccinations for Epidemiological Indications are carried out at the expense of citizens' own funds or employer's funds.
For paid immunisation of the population, healthcare organisations and medical centres independently declare and purchase vaccines from suppliers.
Preventive vaccinations are carried out taking into account indications and contraindications for their administration, in strict accordance with the instructions for medical use attached to the immunobiological medicinal product. Information on the preventive vaccination is entered into the patient's medical records.
If the patient refuses preventive vaccination, the attending physician must explain the possible consequences.
Before carrying out a preventive vaccination, a specialist physician conducts a medical examination and records its results in the medical records, and also monitors the patient for 30 minutes after the administration of the immunobiological medicinal product.
Immunisation is an effective and safe means of combating infectious diseases! It helps to save the life of an individual and protect the world from epidemics!
Natalia Pobortseva
Epidemiologist of the state institution "Lepel District Centre for Hygiene and Epidemiology"