"WHO Director's February 2024 Message on Immunization and Vaccines"

The Director of the Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals at WHO, Kate O'Brien, highlights two upcoming pivotal events in global immunization: the Meeting of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization and the first WHO high-level meeting to defeat meningitis. Additionally, significant progress has been made in the fight against meningitis, with the endorsement of a novel meningococcal conjugate vaccine and a landmark commitment of nearly US$600 million to eliminate cervical cancer. The Measles and Rubella Partnership also convened to strategize on eradicating these diseases, while updated data reveals escalating measles outbreaks in Europe and beyond. Furthermore, efforts are underway to fortify surveillance activities, ramp up routine immunization services, and expand malaria vaccination programs across Africa.