Study on Global Immunization Efforts

Global Immunization Efforts have saved at least 154 million lives over the past 50 years, according to a study by the World Health Organization (WHO).

About the Study:

• The World Health Organization (WHO) published a study analyzing the impact of 14 vaccines under the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI).
  • The EPI is marking its 50th anniversary in May.
• The study focused on vaccines against diphtheria, Haemophilus influenza type B, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, measles, meningitis A, pertussis, invasive pneumococcal disease, polio, rotavirus, rubella, tetanus, tuberculosis, and yellow fever.

Key Findings of the Study:

• 101 million infants accounted for the lives saved through immunization over the last five decades.
• A child born today is 40 per cent more likely to reach their fifth birthday compared to a child born 50 years ago.
• The measles vaccine had the most significant impact, accounting for 60 per cent of the lives saved due to immunization.
• The polio vaccine has enabled more than 20 million people to walk who would otherwise have been paralyzed.
• Overall, immunization has contributed to a reduction in infant mortality by 40 per cent globally and over 50 per cent in Africa.
• Vaccines have added 10.2 billion full health years over the past five decades, with each vaccinated child gaining an average of 66 years of healthy life.
• Smallpox has been eradicated, and polio is on the brink of eradication, showcasing the power of vaccines.
• The study also highlighted the emergence of vaccines against newer threats like malaria and cervical cancer.
• Efforts are ongoing to address the 67 million children who missed at least one vaccination due to the COVID pandemic, through campaigns like “Humanly Possible” launched by WHO, Unicef, the Gavi vaccine alliance, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
• The study noted challenges from anti-vaccine movements and misinformation, especially highlighted during the COVID pandemic and affecting measles vaccine coverage.
• In 2022, there were over nine million measles cases and 136,000 deaths from measles globally.

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