BarcelonaThe successful stories of vaccines have given way to a decline or, at best, to a stagnation among the children’s population. The turning point can be located around 2010, when a sum of factors caused the number of creatures to be fired without immunization of diseases that can be prevented such as diphtheria, ferine cough, polio and measles, especially in developing countries, although the West is not escaped from this dangerous tendency.
An investigation published by the magazine The Lancet It confirms that in the year 2023 there were 15.7 million creatures worldwide in 2023, which had not received any dose of the diphtheria vaccine, tetanus, and ferine cough in the first year of life. More than half of this group live in eight countries: Nigeria, India, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Indonesia and Brazil.
The report warns that the decade between 2010 and 2019, for example, measles vaccination decreased by 100 out of 204 countries. In this case, the main decrease observed was in Latin America and the Caribbean, where coverage fell around 90% in 2010 to 87% in 2019, which results in almost one million less vaccinated children against measles this past year. In addition, 21 of 36 high -income countries (including Spain) experienced decreases in the coverage of at least one dose against diphtheria, tetanus, peline cough, measles, polyomyelitis and tuberculosis.
The Covid-19 crisis further aggravated problems, adding to the study, which warns that the world goals of immunization by 2030 will not be achieved if authorities do not launch “specific and equitable” strategies, primary care is strengthened and the misinformation on the effectiveness of vaccines is fought. “Pandemic, which in many areas led to a decrease in confidence in public health institutions and polarized opinions on the need and safety of Covid vaccination, has had various effects on public perception on the importance of childhood vaccination and the desire to vaccinate,” say the authors.
The denialist groups are gaining ground and are even coming to governments, as is the case with the United States Administration, which has located an antivacunes such as Robert F. Kennedy, at the head of health policies. “Despite the monumental efforts of the last fifty years, advances are very universal. A large number of children remain unaccurrected or do not do enough,” says the main author of the study, Jonathan Mosser, of the University of Washington.
In the last five decades, vaccination rates doubled worldwide, to the point where the number of creatures that had never received a systematic children’s vaccine (called zero dose creatures), from 58.8 million in 1980 to 14.7 million in 2019, was reduced by 75%. Thus, more than 4 billion children were immunized and the dosage was estimated to have avoided the death of about 154 million. creatures.
But in recent years, the reluctance to vaccination have led to the outbreak of diseases that can be prevented, which increases “an increasing world risk”, summarizing experts in the magazine article. They refer to the cases of polyomyelitis in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and there is also a bud in Papua Nova Guinea, where less than half of the population is immunized.
But the reduction of vaccinations also affects high -income countries, such as those in the European Union and the United States, where cases of measles have increased in recent years.
Vaccination coverage: A Global Snapshot
To provide a clearer overview of the trends discussed, let’s examine key data points in a structured format. The following table highlights notable aspects of vaccination coverage and its impact:
| Metric | Data Point / Insight | Source |
| ————————– | ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— | —————————————————————————————————————– |
| Global Unvaccinated Children (2023) | 15.7 million children worldwide did not receive any dose of the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) vaccine in their first year of life. | The Lancet study (as cited) |
| Concentration of unvaccinated Children | Over half of the unvaccinated children reside in eight countries: Nigeria, India, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Indonesia, and Brazil. | The Lancet study (as cited) |
| Measles Vaccination Decline (2010-2019) | Measles vaccination coverage decreased in 100 out of 204 countries. | The Lancet study (as cited) |
| Measles Coverage Drop in Latin America & Caribbean | coverage declined from approximately 90% in 2010 to 87% in 2019, resulting in nearly one million fewer children vaccinated against measles.| The Lancet study (as cited) |
| DTP,Measles,Polio coverage decrease in high income countries | Decreases in high-income countries,including Spain,show the need to strengthen immunization programs worldwide to prevent preventable illnesses.| The Lancet study (as cited) |
| Impact of COVID-19 | The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the situation, potentially hindering the achievement of global immunization goals by 2030. | The Lancet study (as cited) |
| Ancient Immunization Success | Vaccination rates have doubled worldwide in the last five decades, leading to a 75% reduction in the number of children who have never received a systematic childhood vaccine. | The Lancet study (as cited) |
| Lives Saved Through Vaccination | Childhood vaccinations are estimated to have prevented approximately 154 million deaths. | The Lancet study (as cited) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Vaccinations
This FAQ section aims to address common questions about vaccinations, providing clear and concise answers based on current scientific understanding and reputable sources.
Q: What are vaccines, and how do they work?
A: Vaccines are designed to protect you from serious diseases. They work by training your immune system to recognise and fight off specific pathogens (like viruses or bacteria). vaccines introduce a weakened or inactive form of the pathogen, which triggers an immune response without causing illness. this response helps your body develop antibodies and immune memory, so you’re protected if you later encounter the actual pathogen [[1]].
Q: What ingredients are in vaccines?
A: Vaccine ingredients can seem unfamiliar when listed, but manny are naturally found in your body, the habitat, or the foods you eat. Common components include weakened or inactive pathogens, stabilizers, preservatives, and adjuvants. all vaccine ingredients, and the vaccines themselves, undergo thorough testing and monitoring for safety [[3]].
Q: What diseases do vaccines prevent?
A: Vaccines have been developed to prevent over 20 life-threatening diseases. These include diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), measles, and polio. Immunization prevents millions of deaths every year [[2]].
Q: Are vaccines safe?
A: Yes. All vaccines undergo rigorous testing and monitoring to ensure safety. They are developed by using the latest scientific advancements,creating protection against serious diseases that can cause sickness,disability,and death.
Q: Why is vaccination crucial for children?
A: Vaccinating children is crucial for protecting them from serious and potentially life-threatening diseases. Beyond protecting individual children, vaccination helps achieve herd immunity, where enough people are protected that the disease can no longer spread easily, safeguarding vulnerable populations who cannot be vaccinated (like infants or those with compromised immune systems).
Q: What about side effects?
A: Side effects are usually mild, such as fever or soreness, and disappear on their own. Serious side effects are very rare. The benefits of vaccination far outweigh the potential risks.
Keep reading
