Tánaiste and Minister for Health Mary Harney today marked the first World Health Organisation (WHO) European Immunisation Week today.
"Immunisation is one of the single most effective health protection measures and has transformed the health profile of children and adults worldwide," Ms Harney said.
The week, which is being piloted in seven European countries, is scheduled to be rolled out across the WHO European region in 2006.
During the week, co-ordinators from the Health Service Executive (HSE) will highlight the need for immunisation and the fact that many vaccine-preventable diseases kill.
Measles for example remains one of the most important causes of childhood mortality worldwide, claiming an estimated 4,850 young lives in the WHO European Region in 2003.
Dr Kevin Kelleher of the HSE said "a number of diseases are preventable through immunisation, and I would like to take this opportunity to urge parents and adults throughout Ireland to prevent, protect, immunise".
He added that Ireland still has pockets of low uptake of critical vaccines like MMR, and he expressed the hope that this week will encourage people to protect themselves against preventable illness.
Information and events will take place at various shopping centres throughout the country during the week.