Global Health Security: Immunization

Vaccines prevent an estimated 2.5 million deaths among children younger than age 5 every year. Still, 1 child dies every 20 seconds from a disease that could have been prevented by a vaccine. Why? Because 1 in 5 children worldwide do not have access to the life-saving immunizations that keep children healthy.

Disease does not respect geographical borders. Disease travels as easily as people and products. Through rigorous programs around the globe targeting vaccine-preventable diseases globally, CDC protects Americans from getting sick from diseases that come into the United States from other countries.

The ultimate goal of immunization is to eradicate or eliminate vaccine-preventable diseases if scientifically feasible. Scientists from CDC work in many countries using proven strategies to end these diseases. Ultimately, these proven strategies protect the U.S. from death and disability from vaccine-preventable diseases.

Learn more about our global immunization efforts.