World Immunization Week has been celebrated in late April (April 24 to 30) starting 2005. Its main objective is to raise awareness about the critical importance of proper immunization throughout a person’s life, DPR Minister of Health Olga Dolgoshapko said at the briefing in Donetsk on April 24.

“Every year in late April the world has a vaccination week, during which doctors explain to the population the meaning of vaccination, its benefits and necessity. Progress has been made in the fight against infectious diseases over the years thanks to preventive immunization. The world population has been rid of such dangerous diseases as smallpox, diphtheria and poliomyelitis. Such diseases as measles, rubella and epidemic parotitis have become rare.

Thanks to new and complex vaccines, it is now possible to protect children and adults from life-threatening diseases like flu, viral hepatitis, meningitis,” Olga Dolgoshapko told.

The Minister also noted that the Donetsk People’s Republic carries out vaccination campaigns regularly.

“We have approved a calendar of vaccinations necessary for the immunization of children first of all. The Republic receives vaccination medications from Russia. They are safe and certified. Immunization prevents 2 to 3 million deaths every year. Annual mass immunization of the population, including children, against influenza can significantly reduce the intensity of influenza epidemic and the burden of its socio-economic consequences every year,” Olga Dolgoshapko emphasized.

Planned immunization is an essential component of efficient primary healthcare, guarding the health of people of all ages from first days of a life. It is efficient with timely and regular vaccination in accordance with the schedule of necessary preventive immunization.

The DPR Ministry of Health recommends not refusing vaccination. Use the chance to protect yourselves and your children reliably from serious and potentially fatal diseases.