World Immunization Week is observed annually from April 24 to 30, to encourage the use of vaccines to safeguard people of all age groups against vaccine-preventable diseases and proper usage of vaccines.
The global vaccine drives of the second part of the 20th century are one of the excellent benchmarks of humanity. Mass immunization activities have enabled the World Health Organization to eradicate smallpox, almost defeat polio, and ensure more healthy children survive and thrive than ever before.
This year’s theme is Humanly Possible: Immunization for All, which earmarks 50 years of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI). It identifies the collective efforts to save and uplift countless lives from vaccine-preventable conditions and calls on countries to gear up investments in immunization activities to safeguard the lives of the next generation.
Also Read: World Immunization Week: Know The Power Of Vaccines
Vaccines Save Lives and Protect Health
As this year’s theme honours vaccines as humanity’s greatest accomplishment, the WHO looks toward a future world free of vaccine-preventable diseases.
Vaccines save hundreds of lives every year.
Vaccines are among the best, most affordable, and most effective public health interventions.
Vaccines make it humanly possible to eradicate diseases.
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Every child ought to have access to lifesaving vaccines that can safeguard them against illness, disability, and death.
Significance of World Immunization Week
Raises Awareness: The week-long campaign raises awareness about the importance of immunization and vaccines' role in preventing diseases and saving lives.
Promotes Vaccination: World Immunization Week encourages people to get vaccinated and helps governments and organizations promote immunization programs.
Supports Global Health: By promoting immunization, World Immunization Week contributes to global health security by reducing the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases.
How Immunization Protects Human Life?
Immunization protects human life in several ways:
Prevents Diseases
Vaccines stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies, which provide immunity against specific diseases. Immunization prevents diseases such as measles, polio, and influenza, which can cause serious illness and death.
Reduces Disease Transmission
When a large percentage of the population is vaccinated, it creates herd immunity, decreasing the spread of disease and shielding those who cannot be vaccinated, such as infants and people with weakened immune systems.
Also Read: World Immunization Week 2022: Know About The Different Types Of Vaccines
Save Lives
Immunization has led to the eradication of medical problems like smallpox and the near elimination of polio. Vaccines save millions of lives annually by preventing illness and complications from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Improves Health Equity
Immunization helps reduce health disparities by ensuring everyone has access to life-saving vaccines regardless of their background or income.
5 Most Essential Vaccines
Vaccination is the most comprehensive means for parents to protect their newborns, youngsters, and adolescents from about 16 life-threatening diseases. In comparison, adults are also susceptible to diseases that can be effectively averted by vaccination due to their age, work, lifestyle, or health-related issues.
Polio vaccination
The polio vaccine is one of the main childhood vaccinations that needs to be administered to all children as per Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Children should be given the polio vaccination four times. The following age groups should receive one dosage each: two months, four months, six to eighteen months, and four to six years old.
Hepatitis B
The CDC recommends the hepatitis B vaccination for all people between the ages of 19 and 59 and for adults aged 60 and above who are at high risk for hepatitis B. Hepatitis is a condition that damages liver health.
Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap)
Tdap is usually given once at the age of 11 or 12. The CDC suggests scheduling one immediately if you haven’t received it. A single dose of the Tdap vaccination is recommended around 27 to 36 weeks of pregnancy. This vaccine can safeguard you from respiratory problems caused by whooping cough (pertussis), tetanus, and diphtheria. Also, it’s advised to have a booster dose every ten years.
Flu (influenza)
According to the CDC, all infants 6 months of age and older should be given flu vaccine every year. However, adults over the age of 50 should not get the nasal spray influenza vaccination, as severe consequences from the flu can develop in the elderly.
BCG
This vaccine is given for Tuberculosis (TB), which is a condition that attacks the lungs but can also damage other organs like brains in newborns and young children. A severe case of TB may result in death or other problems. When affected with TB, it is extremely difficult to treat; the course of therapy is widespread and not always effective.
Conclusion:
World Immunization Week is an important global initiative highlighting immunization's benefits in protecting human life. Vaccines are the safest and best possible way to prevent disease and save lives. By promoting immunization, we can work towards a healthier, more resilient world for everyone.
References
https://www.cdc.gov/globalhealth/immunization/world-immunization-week/index.html
https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-immunization-week/2024
https://www.cdc.gov/globalhealth/immunization/observances/index.html
