In the 21st century, every child has the right to live free from vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccination is one of the most cost-effective health interventions available, saving millions of people from illness, disability and death each year. Effective and safe vaccines against over 20 serious diseases are available and many promising new vaccines are being developed. Although today's vaccines are highly effective and safe, new challenges are emerging.

As vaccine-preventable diseases still pose significant threats in the WHO European Region, strengthening immunization remains vital. Well-functioning immunization systems are essential to achieve Millennium Development Goals 4 and 6 - reducing child mortality and major diseases - to which WHO and its Member States are fully committed.

WHO/Europe's goal is to reach and maintain high levels of immunization of children at the appropriate age and at the recommended doses, particularly those in vulnerable groups. To achieve this, WHO/Europe helps countries to strengthen their programmes for the control of infectious disease through partnerships with them, with international organizations and with bilateral agencies.

Current major initiatives include:

• promoting safe immunization practices;
• introducing new and underused antigens;
• eliminating measles, linked to accelerated prevention of congenital rubella infection; and
• maintaining the poliomyelitis-free status of the European Region.