The History, Impact, and Importance of Vaccines Worldwide

Vaccines - which was the last vaccine you got? Probably the Covid-19 vaccine during lockdown. Vaccination is critical as a public health measure, and each year, millions of people, especially children, get vaccinated around the world to protect themselves and others from preventable diseases.

According to WHO data, over 100 million infants are vaccinated yearly against polio, measles, tetanus, hepatitis B and diphtheria. In developed countries, the vaccination rate for routine childhood vaccines is more than 90%, while in low and middle-income countries, efforts are ongoing to improve vaccination. Efforts like World Immunization Day are a day to safeguard our immunity from communicable diseases.

Vaccines are the mainstay of modern medicine and public health. Vaccines are important because of several key areas. To begin with, around 5.55 billion people have been inoculated against Covid-19, which equals to around 72.3% of the world population.

Data published by the World Health Organisation and UNICEF, shows that North Korea, Somalia, the Central African Republic, Papua New Guinea and Sudan are places where children have not been vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis.

According to a landmark study by The Lancet, thanks to global immunisation efforts, 154 lives or around six lives every minute of every year over the last 50 years, have been saved. Around 101 million lives were those of infants.

Prevention of disease-

Vaccines prevent outbreaks of deadly diseases. For instance, polio has been eradicated, and smallpox is on the verge of eradication. Thanks to vaccines, diseases like measles and pertussis are now hard to find in different corners of the world.

Protection against major illnesses -

The flu vaccine can reduce the risk of hospitalisation or death from influenza, while the HPV vaccine helps protect against certain cancers related to the human papillomavirus.

Cost Effective -

Vaccines are a cost-effective healthcare intervention. Childhood vaccines save us thousands of dollars annually in terms of healthcare costs.

Global health impact -

Vaccines are important because they reduce global health disparities. The GAVI Alliance (Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation) and other global health organisations have helped to spread vaccines to millions of children in low-income countries, preventing the deaths of millions from ailments like pneumonia, rotavirus and malaria.

Edward Jenner developed the first vaccine in 1796. Dr. Jenner found out that cowpox, a mild disease in cows, could protect against the deadly smallpox. What Jenner did laid the foundation for the field of immunology, and smallpox was the first disease to be eradicated through vaccination, with the World Health Organisation declaring it eradicated in 1980.

After Jenner’s discovery, vaccines for other ailments were developed throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. In the late 1800s, Louis Pasteur worked on developing vaccines for rabies and anthrax. In the 20th century, vaccines were formulated for polio, diphtheria, tetanus and more.

Today, vaccines have made significant strides, with the formulation of combination vaccines, mRNA vaccines (like those for COVID-19), and vaccines for diseases like measles, rubella, mumps, and HPV. Such vaccines have greatly reduced global morbidity and mortality rates.

Countries with ongoing vaccination drives include the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and other European nations propagate widespread vaccination using extensive public health campaigns, government initiatives, and universal healthcare systems. For example, in the US, vaccination programs are bolstered by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, while the UK has the National Health Service offering free vaccinations for all children and adults.

India’s vaccination rates, on the other hand, are lower than those of developed countries because of issues like inadequate healthcare infrastructure, especially in rural and remote areas. The country’s vast population—1.4 billion people—doesn’t really help when it comes to delivering vaccines efficiently to every nook and corner of the country.

Social and cultural factors are also important when it comes to vaccine hesitancy in India. Misinformation, myths, and a lack of faith in the healthcare system often prevent people from being inoculated. Moreover, poverty and lack of education can reduce access to vaccination services, with most people in underprivileged communities unable to afford or access vaccines.

Despite such challenges, India has made remarkable progress recently, primarily through initiatives like the Universal Immunization Program (UIP) and global partnerships like GAVI, which have helped increase vaccine availability. India has been a big supplier of affordable vaccines around the world and has led large-scale vaccination campaigns like the fight against polio, which was officially eradicated in India in 2014.

Vaccines are critical because they help us prevent infectious diseases. They are the go-to tools for this purpose. Without vaccines, we would be left vulnerable to many contagious diseases. Thanks to vaccines, we are safeguarded from such diseases.

Preventing infectious diseases -

Vaccines help the immune system recognise and keep away particular pathogens. They provide protection and build ‘herd immunity’ when a large population is immune, reducing overall disease transmission. This is vital for groups like infants, the elderly, and folks with weakened immune systems who might be more likely to get infections.

Eradication of diseases-

Thanks to vaccines, smallpox, one of the deadliest diseases in human history, was eradicated in 1980. Eradicating ailments through vaccinations can save millions of lives and bring down global healthcare costs like nothing. Imagine a world without vaccines. The cost of healthcare would be much higher. Thanks to vaccines, some major diseases have been eradicated.

Bringing down healthcare costs-

Vaccines prevent disease outbreaks that would otherwise cause huge treatment costs. For instance, vaccines for ailments like influenza, measles, and HPV reduce the number of hospitalisations, long-term care requirements, and medical treatments. Vaccines reduce the burden on healthcare systems by preventing ailments, saving billions of dollars in medical expenses.

Preventive measures are always better than treating widespread illness, especially when vaccines are administered prior to an outbreak. If you haven’t been vaccinated against deadly diseases, it is time you get the vaccine.

Protecting vulnerable populations -

Particular groups, like infants, the elderly, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals, are more vulnerable to the severe consequences of infectious diseases. Inoculations help safeguard susceptible populations by reducing the risk of disease transmission in the broader community.

‘Herd immunity’ from widespread vaccination ensures that even those who cannot get vaccines, thanks to medical reasons, are protected from diseases, boosting their safety and well-being.

Better life expectancy -

Vaccines have greatly contributed to better global life expectancy by preventing early deaths from communicable diseases. Before vaccines were developed, diseases like smallpox, diphtheria, and polio were major causes of mortality, especially among children.

Vaccination has drastically brought down the number of deaths caused worldwide by such diseases, ensuring longer, healthier lives for millions of people worldwide. This increase in life expectancy has had a huge impact on public health and social development.

Global health security-

Vaccination programs have a huge role to play in global health security by bringing down the spread of infectious diseases across borders. In a highly interconnected world, outbreaks of contagious diseases can spread quickly between countries and continents.

Mass vaccination campaigns are instrumental in controlling and limiting the spread of diseases like COVID-19, which saw a global response through vaccination. By ensuring that populations are immunised, countries can work together to prevent pandemics and outbreaks, protecting public health globally.

Economic benefits -

Vaccination has enormous economic benefits as well. By preventing disease and promoting health, vaccines boost productivity, reduce absenteeism from work or school, and boost a nation's overall financial output. Healthy populations are more productive and contribute to the economy via their work while preventing diseases reduces the strain on public health systems and the economy. Countries with high vaccination rates have better economic growth and lower healthcare costs, improving individual and national prosperity.

The importance of vaccines goes way beyond public health to global economic stability. By preventing widespread outbreaks, vaccines bring down healthcare costs and boost productivity, thereby fostering economic growth. However, there is a fair share of challenges, particularly in low—and middle-income countries, where healthcare infrastructure, vaccine areas, and misinformation can work against vaccination efforts. The ongoing efforts of organisations like the WHO, GAVI, and national governments are important in addressing such barriers.

As we get ready to face a new set of health challenges, like emerging diseases and pandemics, vaccines are our best bet. Investing in vaccine development, accessibility, and education is vital for safeguarding public health and ensuring a healthier future for all. Ultimately, vaccines are not just a personal safeguard, they are a collective responsibility, making sure that people worldwide are protected from preventable diseases.