24 June 2024 Punjab Khabarnama : Vaccination is a cornerstone of public health, playing a crucial role in safeguarding children from a myriad of potentially life-threatening diseases worldwide. Beginning shortly after birth and continuing through adolescence, childhood vaccination programs target diseases such as measles, polio, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, rotavirus, and pneumococcal infections.
Each vaccine is designed to mimic the infectious agent using weakened or killed versions of the microorganism or its toxins, allowing the immune system to recognize and combat these pathogens effectively.
The impact of vaccines on childhood diseases has been profound. Diseases like smallpox, once a global scourge causing widespread outbreaks and high mortality rates, have been completely eradicated through vaccination efforts. Polio, another historically debilitating disease, is nearing global eradication, with only a few remaining endemic countries. Measles, highly contagious and previously a major cause of childhood mortality, has significantly declined in regions with high vaccination coverage.
One of the significant benefits of vaccination is its contribution to herd immunity. When a large percentage of a population is vaccinated against a disease, it creates a protective barrier that reduces the likelihood of the disease spreading among those who are not vaccinated or cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons. This concept is critical in protecting vulnerable individuals such as newborns, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.