Turkmenistan along with many countries celebrates World Immunization Week on April 26 - May 2. The purpose of the event is to increase awareness among the population about the importance of vaccine prophylaxis, and form a competent and trusting attitude towards immunization.

Immunization is one of the strategic directions in the implementation of the State Programme "Health" initiated by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, which prioritizes significant improvement of people’s health, increase of the average life expectancy of citizens, as well as provision of medical services that meet international standards.

It should be noted that Turkmenistan is the first and only country where population is vaccinated against infectious diseases free of charge.

Our country maintains a high level of immunization coverage. This is evidenced by the UNICEF Certificate awarded in July 2019 to the Government of Turkmenistan, represented by the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry, for maintaining high rates of immunization of children within the framework of the State-funded National Programme. 

Due to the organized work on immunization and the active participation of the population, as well as the strengthening of the complex of sanitary and anti-epidemic measures, infectious diseases such as poliomyelitis, whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus, measles, rubella have been eliminated or registered in individual cases in our country.

Since 2019, the national calendar of preventive vaccinations provides for vaccination against 14 diseases and three more new vaccines have been introduced - vaccines against pneumococcal infection, rotavirus infection, viral hepatitis A.

During the press conferences, round tables, TV and radio programmes held within the framework of the Immunization Week, urgent tasks of immunization are discussed. There are consultative offices and "hot lines" to inform the population about the importance and necessity of immunization in the Health Centres in the country. Children are vaccinated in accordance with the vaccination schedule. Thematic contests are organized among medical workers and students of specialized educational institutions.

World Immunization Week 2021 will urge greater engagement around immunization globally to promote the importance of vaccination in bringing people together, and improving the health and wellbeing of everyone, everywhere throughout life.