Immunisation is a process in which a person is vaccinated, to protect him/herself from illness and diseases caused by micro-organisms. Vaccine is administered to a person and this process is referred to as vaccinating people making them immune to diseases.
Every year several organisations like WHO, work diligently to spread awareness about immunisation and increase the coverage of same. It enables our body to sense the presence of any foreign body or pathogen and destroy them immediately.
Today vaccines are available for certain deadly diseases for children and adults, thanks to the experts. Some of the facts associated with immunisation are :
- Around 2-3 million lives are saved every year because of immunisation.
- The mortality rate of measles has declined by 80% globally.
- In 2019, it was announced by WHO that two poliovirus out of 3 has been exterminated worldwide.
- In the year 2018, the coverage of DTP3 (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis) vaccine was 90% in 129 countries.
To protect children and people of all ages, last week of April is celebrated as World Immunisation Week. The aim is primarily to promote the use of vaccines.
Below mentioned is an immunisation schedule of children as recommended by WHO.
|
BIRTH |
2 MONTHS |
4 MONTHS |
6 MONTHS |
12 MONTHS |
18 MONTHS |
4 YEARS |
|
Hepatitis B |
Diphtheria |
Diphtheria |
Diphtheria |
Measles |
Measles |
Diphtheria |
|
|
Tetanus |
Tetanus |
Tetanus |
Mumps |
Mumps |
Mumps |
|
|
Pertussis |
Pertussis |
Pertussis |
Rubella |
Rubella |
Pertussis |
|
|
Polio |
Polio |
Polio |
|
|
Polio |
|
|
Hib |
Hib |
Hib |
Hib |
Varicella |
Measles |
|
|
Hepatitis B |
Hepatitis B |
Hepatitis B |
Hepatitis B |
|
Tetanus |
|
|
Pneumo-coccal |
Pneumo-coccal |
Pneumo-coccal |
Meningo-coccal C |
Pneumo-coccal |
Rubella |
|
|
Rotavirus |
Rotavirus |
Rotavirus |
|
|
|
Adults should also get immunised for diseases like Meningococcal meningitis, Influenza, Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A and B, Cholera, Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Japanese encephalitis, Typhoid, Herpes Zoster Vaccine and Pneumococcal disease.
From the above listed facts, it is clearly evident that immunisation is essential for all of us.
- It protects us and our children from serious health diseases and complications.
- Vaccinations are developed after thorough and careful analysis by doctors, experts and healthcare professionals, thus very safe and effective to use.
- Treatment of ailments and diseases can be very expensive at times, therefore vaccination are not only cost-effective but also saves our money, trauma and discomfort during disease.
- Immunisation at prescribed age along with boosters also reduces the risk of spreading an epidemic.
- It is an effective and proven way to completely eradicate the disease.
- Lack of immunisation might affect our immune health adversely, lead to deformity or might prove fatal at times.
- Immunisation supports our immune system in keeping us healthy.
REFERENCES
The importance of immunisation(2019),CBHS Health and Wellbeing. Retrieved from www.cbhs.com.au/
Immunization coverage(2019), World Health Organization. Retrieved from www.who.int/
V Ramasubramanian,(N.D) Adult Immunization. Retrieved from www.apiindia.org/
