The World Health Organization (WHO) plays a foundational role in shaping global health outcomes. Since its establishment in 1948 as a specialized agency of the United Nations, WHO has worked with 194 Member States to promote public health, guide policy, and respond to both emerging and persistent health threats.
Its leadership in global immunization is built on decades of scientific expertise, policy coordination, and country-level support that help ensure vaccines are safe, effective, and accessible.
WHO’s Core Mandate in Global Health
WHO’s mission is to ensure the highest attainable standard of health for all people. This mission is realized through four main functions:
- Providing authoritative guidance on public health issues
- Setting international norms and health policies
- Assisting countries in developing and strengthening their health systems
- Advancing the use of innovative technologies, tools, and best practices
These efforts position WHO as a central source of global health direction, aligning science with practical implementation and public policy.
Contributions to Immunization and Disease Control
WHO has played a critical role in landmark health achievements, such as the global eradication of smallpox and the near-eradication of polio and guinea worm disease.
Its contributions extend beyond infectious disease control. WHO helps countries assess health system gaps, implement new technologies, and secure access to essential medicines and vaccines. In immunization specifically, WHO works to reduce disparities, improve delivery mechanisms, and ensure vaccine safety, all grounded in evidence and public health ethics.
WHO-Led Global Immunization Initiatives
Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI)
Launched in 1974, EPI was designed to ensure that all children globally have access to essential vaccines. It laid the groundwork for many of today’s national immunization systems and continues to support routine immunization delivery in low-resource settings.
Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030)
IA2030 is WHO’s current strategic framework aiming to extend the benefits of immunization to every age group, everywhere. It emphasizes equity, integration, and country ownership while fostering stronger data systems and accountability mechanisms.
Emergency Response Through Immunization
WHO’s immunization programs are central to its ability to respond to health emergencies. During outbreaks like Ebola, cholera, and COVID-19, WHO supports rapid vaccine deployment, provides technical guidance, and assists in coordinating national immunization campaigns.
These actions help protect vulnerable populations and contain the spread of disease quickly and efficiently.
Regional Offices and Localized Support
WHO’s six regional offices, including those for Africa (AFRO), South-East Asia (SEARO), and the Western Pacific (WPRO), allow the organization to adapt global health strategies to regional realities.
These offices work closely with national ministries of health to provide targeted guidance, deploy support teams, and adjust immunization strategies based on local epidemiological data and infrastructure capabilities.
WHO’s Strategic Focus on Immunization
WHO’s Department of Vaccines and Biologicals leads the organization’s immunization work, aligned with the resolutions of the World Health Assembly. Its strategy centers around three key objectives:
1. Innovation
Supporting the development and introduction of new or improved vaccines, including those targeting diseases with growing public health impact.
2. Immunization Systems
Enhancing vaccine safety, improving delivery methods, and ensuring sustainability of immunization programs.
3. Accelerated Disease Control
Driving urgent progress in eradicating or controlling vaccine-preventable diseases like polio, measles, and rubella.
A Global Partner in Technical Leadership
WHO does not deliver vaccines directly to the public, nor does it operate clinical services. Instead, it functions as a technical and policy advisor, offering evidence-based guidance, international standards, and implementation support for countries and health partners.
Its leadership helps ensure that immunization programs are aligned with the latest science, ethically administered, and designed for long-term impact.
Conclusion
As a cornerstone of global health governance, WHO continues to lead in innovation, strategy, and equity in immunization. Through partnerships, research, and technical support, it helps countries implement vaccine programs that are safe, sustainable, and responsive to evolving health needs, moving the world closer to a future free of preventable diseases.