Damascus: From April 21 to 30, 2025, Syria is marking World Immunization Week with a nationwide campaign aimed at vaccinating 3.4 million children under the age of five. This effort is led by Syria’s Ministry of Health with support from UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
The campaign, operating under the global theme "A Dose of Good News," focuses on the vital role of vaccines in protecting children from preventable diseases. Special attention will be given to reaching children who have missed their vaccinations, including over 250,000 children, with nearly 156,000 being "zero-dose" children who have not received any routine vaccines.
The campaign will engage over 7,600 health workers, including 3,330 mobile team members who will focus on remote and underserved areas. Nearly 1,200 vaccination sites and more than 1,000 mobile teams will be deployed across the country to ensure the vaccines reach all children.
More than 2,000 trained volunteers and mobilizers will work to overcome vaccine hesitancy, partnering with local health officials and community leaders to emphasize the importance of immunization.
The initiative aims to address gaps in Syria’s immunization coverage, which have been exacerbated by years of conflict, and ensure that every child receives the necessary vaccines to survive and thrive. Both WHO and UNICEF stress the importance of investing in immunization systems to guarantee that all children, no matter where they live, have access to life-saving vaccines.
