Vaccines Global Summit

Childhood infection vaccines are the backbone of public health strategy; they vitally protect young children from some of the deadliest epidemics that were once a scourge to almost every generation. Vaccines simply pushed diseases like measles, mumps, polio, and many more, that caused outbreaks of unimaginable dimensions, into the dustbin of history. This way, immunity to potentially life-threatening infections begins to be set up early in the body's system.

One of the most important vaccines is the MMR vaccine, providing immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella. Viral infections with these diseases can be especially severe in very young children, and the long-term effects of such infections can be significant. Pneumonia and swelling of the brain are common complications from measles, mumps can result in swollen glands associated with salivary glands and infertility in some cases. Rubella is, in particular, very dangerous for pregnant women, as it can lead to congenital rubella syndrome characterized by severe congenital abnormalities at birth. The MMR vaccine has highly reduced the incidence of these diseases and virtually eradicated them in many places.

The polio vaccine has been pivotal in the near eradication of the polio disease, which paralyzed and killed thousands of children around the world. Because of vaccination with both oral polio vaccine (OPV) and inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), a global campaign has reduced polio cases by more than 99%. This gain gives merit to continued vaccination in preventing any re-emergence of the virus.

The other backbone of childhood immunization is the DPT vaccine, which offers immunity against diphtheria, pertussis or whooping cough, and tetanus. These bacterial infections were once a leading cause of death among children. Diphtheria may involve respiratory problems and cardiac complications, pertussis causes severe bouts of coughing, and tetanus leads to spasms of the most severe muscular form. Immunization ensures that children will never experience these infections.

The Hib vaccine targets Haemophilus influenzae type b, a bacterium that can cause severe infections, such as meningitis and pneumonia, whereas the varicella vaccine prevents chickenpox, lowering the risk of dangerous complications from this highly contagious disease. Together, these vaccines help children grow healthy and safe, free from dangerous infections.