Biology:Global Immunization Vision and Strategy

The Global Immunization Vision and Strategy (GIVS) is a framework launched in 2006 by the World Health Organization and UNICEF with the purpose to control morbidity and mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases and help countries to immunize more people, from infants to seniors, with a greater range of vaccines.

Purpose

The strategy was projected for the years 2006–2015. The four main aims of GIVS were listed as follows:

• Immunization of more people against more diseases;
• introduction of a range of newly available vaccines and technologies;
• the integration of other critical health interventions with immunization; and
• the management of vaccination programs within the context of global interdependence.

Goals

Two deadlines were set by GIVS for achieving the following goals and targets:

By 2010 or earlier:

• Countries should reach at least 90% national vaccination coverage and at least 80% vaccination coverage in

every district or equivalent administrative unit.

• Globally, mortality due to measles should be reduced by 90% compared to the 2000 level.

By 2015 or earlier:

• The vaccination coverage goal reached in 2010 should be sustained.
• Global childhood morbidity and mortality due to vaccinepreventable diseases should be reduced by at least two thirds compared to 2000 levels.
• Every person eligible for immunization included in national programs should be offered vaccination with vaccines of assured quality according to established national schedules.
• Immunization with newly introduced vaccines should be offered to the entire eligible population within

five years of the introduction of these new vaccines in national programs.

• All countries should have reached developed capacity at all levels to conduct case-based surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases, in order to measure vaccine coverage accurately and use these data appropriately.
• All national immunization plans should be formulated as an integral component of sector-wide plans for human

resources, financing and logistics.

• All national immunization plans should be formulated, costed and implemented so as to ensure that human

resources, funding and supplies are adequate.

Performance

In 2010, goals to be reached were set at 90 percent of national vaccine coverage and 80 percent regional coverage and decreased measles mortality by 90 percent as compared to 2000 data. These goals were only partially met as 122 member states achieved 90 percent national coverage, with only 48 member states reaching the target 80 percent of regional coverage. Causes to blame were weak infrastructures, lack of political support, as well as misconception and fear of immunizations.