The Value of Vaccines

Vaccines have played an important role, particularly in the final half of the twentieth century, in protecting millions of children and adults from life-threatening infection. In Europe improvements in public health played a part, but the almost complete disappearance of childhood diseases which used to kill and cripple - both physically and mentally - could not have been achieved without vaccines.

For adults, even improved living standards do not halt the potentially serious impact of flu or pneumococcal disease.

Benefits of Vaccines

Thanks to vaccines smallpox has been eradicated and wild poliovirus no longer circulates in Western Europe. Meningitis due to Haemophilus influenzae type b has declined dramatically, and so long as the uptake rate is kept high enough, we have the potential to eliminate measles from our society.

Preventing Diseases

Vaccines are economical in use and their success in preventing disease releases funds, which would otherwise be used to treat the disease, to support other healthcare initiatives.

For further information on the benefits of immunisation go to www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs288 or http://uvig.org/valuingvaccines.asp

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