General information
Over the past 20 years, immunization has prevented approximately 20 million deaths from vaccine-preventable infections. Without vaccines, disease would become more rampant, the public health system would be overburdened with treatment costs, and deaths—particularly in children—would increase dramatically. Immunization is a valuable tool in protecting health, enhancing economic security and political stability, and improving health systems.
View resources on general information
Key resources
State of the World's Vaccines and Immunization, Third Edition (2009)
The World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the World Bank examine progress made in global immunization, the pitfalls facing immunization, and the promise of future vaccines.
10 Facts on Immunization (2009)
A
summary of immunization facts that provides an overview of immunization and a ten-slide presentation on immunization facts.
The Pink Book—Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (2009)
A guide from the US Centers for Diseae Control and Prevention that provides
comprehensive information on vaccine-preventable diseases.
Featured PATH resources
A History of Vaccines (2009)
A brief overview of disease rates before and after the development of vaccines.
Understanding Vaccines (2008)
A fact sheet
on understanding vaccines describes how vaccines work and lists the different types of vaccines.
Fragile Lives—Immunization at Risk (2004)
Filmed on location in Africa, Asia, and Europe, this film brings to life the human face of immunization, its promises, and its challenges.
Page last updated: November 2009.
