KARACHI:
Immunisation stands as a critical instrument in breaking the cycle of poverty by ensuring children’s health, facilitating regular school attendance, and averting debilitating illnesses, thereby enhancing educational outcomes and fostering economic prosperity, especially in communities with limited healthcare access. Vaccinated children are better positioned to thrive, learn, and contribute meaningfully to society. Additionally, immunisation programmes present a cost-effective solution to public health challenges in developing nations, yielding substantial savings in healthcare costs while safeguarding population health.
One of the most significant benefits of immunisation is its role in reducing child mortality rates. Vaccines protect children from preventable diseases, significantly lowering the risk of illness and death. For instance, the introduction of the measles vaccine has led to a substantial decrease in measles-related deaths globally, with the greatest impact seen in low-income countries where the disease is most prevalent.
To underscore the importance of vaccination in building immunisation, World Immunisation Week is observed annually from April 24th to 30th, celebrating its profound impact on public health. This week serves as a testament to the significant progress made in disease prevention and the preservation of millions of lives globally, with its significance particularly profound in developing countries where vaccine access can be a matter of survival.
In developing countries, like Pakistan, the burden of infectious diseases is often disproportionately high due to various factors such as poverty, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and limited access to essential resources. Diseases like measles, polio, tetanus, and pneumonia continue to claim countless lives, particularly among children under the age of five. However, despite the undeniable benefits of immunisation, significant challenges persist in ensuring universal access to vaccines in developing countries. Issues such as vaccine supply chain management, vaccine hesitancy, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure pose formidable obstacles to achieving equitable immunisation coverage. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach that involves collaboration between governments, healthcare providers, non-profit organisations, and international stakeholders.
By prioritising immunisation efforts and addressing unique challenges, we can accelerate progress towards universal vaccine coverage, creating a healthier, more resilient world. Let us reaffirm our commitment to immunisation as a cornerstone of public health and a fundamental human right for all individuals, irrespective of geography
Dr Intikhab Ulfat
Karachi
Published in The Express Tribune, May 5th, 2024.
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