WHO Press conference

Since 2000, WHO and UNICEF jointly produce national immunization coverage estimates for each of the 194 WHO Member States on an annual basis. In addition to producing the immunization coverage estimates for 2018, the WHO and UNICEF estimation process revises the entire historical series of immunization data with the latest available information. The 2018 revision covers 39 years of coverage estimates, from 1980 to 2018. For the first time, it also includes estimates of coverage for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which protects girls against cervical cancer in their later life. Dr. Kate O’Brien, Director, Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals, WHO Dr. Jan Grevendonk, Technical Officer, Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals, WHO