Let's save even more
GENEVA (Precision Vaccinations News)
A study published by The Lancet has
revealed that global immunization efforts have saved an estimated 154 million
lives over the past 50 years.
Photo credit: Heather Hazzan, SELF (CC BY)
Most lives saved were those of infants,
with 101 million lives saved.
The study, led by the World Health
Organization (WHO), found that vaccination against 14 diseases has reduced
infant deaths by 40% globally.
The 14 diseases that the study found
immunization to be effective against include diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae
type B, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, meningitis A, pertussis, invasive
pneumococcal disease, polio, rotavirus, rubella, tetanus, tuberculosis, and
yellow fever.
The measles vaccination significantly
reduced infant mortality, accounting for 60% of the lives saved due to
immunization.
"Vaccines are among the most
potent inventions in history, making once-feared diseases preventable,"
said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a press release on April 24, 2024.
"Thanks to vaccines, smallpox has been
eradicated, polio is on the brink, and with the more recent development of
vaccines against diseases like malaria and cervical cancer, we are pushing back
the frontiers of disease. With continued research, investment, and
collaboration, we can save millions more lives today and in the next
50 years."
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"The study found that for each life
saved through immunization, an average of 66 years of total health were
gained—10.2 billion full health years gained over the five decades.
As a result of vaccination against polio,
more than 20 million people can walk today who would otherwise have been
paralyzed, and the world is on the verge of eradicating polio, once and for
all.
These gains in childhood survival highlight
the importance of protecting immunization progress in every country and
accelerating efforts to reach the 67 million children who missed out on
one or more vaccines during the pandemic.
Additionally, the WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, and
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) are unveiling the "Humanly
Possible" campaign during the annual World Immunization Week 2024.
The worldwide communication campaign calls
on world leaders to advocate for, support, and fund vaccines and the
immunization programs that deliver these lifesaving products.
"It is inspiring to see what has been
made possible over the last fifty years, thanks to the tireless efforts of
governments, global partners, and health workers to make them more accessible
to more people," said Dr. Chris Eias, president of Global Development at
the BMGF.
"We cannot let this incredible
progress falter. By continuing to invest in immunization, we can ensure that
every child – and every person – has the chance to live a healthy and
productive life."
