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. New Delhi: 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 recognise and combat these pathogens effectively. Why are vaccines necessary fo children? In an interaction with News9Live, Dr.
Shrey Srivastava, General Physician at Sharda Hospital, explained how vaccines affect children in a long run and why they are essential at a young age. “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 endem.
