Vaccine-preventable disease: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 15:43, 9 February 2025

Vaccine-preventable disease

Oral polio vaccine being administered to a child.

A vaccine-preventable disease is an infectious disease for which an effective preventive vaccine exists. If a person acquires a vaccine-preventable disease and dies from it, the death is considered a vaccine-preventable death.

Overview

Vaccines have been developed to protect against a variety of infectious diseases. These vaccines work by stimulating the body's immune system to recognize and fight the pathogens they target. The introduction of vaccines has led to a significant reduction in the incidence of many diseases that were once common and often fatal.

Common vaccine-preventable diseases

Some of the most well-known vaccine-preventable diseases include:

Impact of vaccination

The widespread use of vaccines has led to the eradication of smallpox and the near-eradication of polio. Vaccination programs have also significantly reduced the incidence of diseases such as measles, mumps, and rubella. The World Health Organization (WHO) and other health organizations continue to promote vaccination as a critical component of public health.

Challenges

Despite the success of vaccines, there are challenges in achieving high vaccination coverage. These include vaccine hesitancy, logistical issues in vaccine distribution, and the need for continuous monitoring of vaccine safety and effectiveness. Efforts to educate the public about the benefits of vaccination and to address concerns about vaccine safety are ongoing.

Related pages

References

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-'''Vaccine-preventable diseases''' are infectious diseases for which an effective preventive [[vaccine]] exists. If a person acquires a vaccine-preventable disease and dies from it, the death is considered a vaccine-preventable death. The term often refers to diseases thought to be of significant importance to public health, and vaccines for these diseases are typically recommended as part of a routine immunization schedule for children and adults.
+== Vaccine-preventable disease ==
-==Overview==
+[[File:Poliodrops.jpg|thumb|right|Oral polio vaccine being administered to a child.]]
-Vaccines work by stimulating the body's immune system to recognize and fight pathogens, either viruses or bacteria. When the immune system is exposed to a vaccine, it learns to recognize and attack the infection if the body is exposed to the pathogen in the future. This process can significantly reduce the incidence, morbidity, and mortality of vaccine-preventable diseases.
-==Common Vaccine-preventable Diseases==
+A '''vaccine-preventable disease''' is an infectious disease for which an effective preventive [[vaccine]] exists. If a person acquires a vaccine-preventable disease and dies from it, the death is considered a [[vaccine-preventable death]].
-Some of the most common vaccine-preventable diseases include:
-* [[Measles]], a highly contagious viral disease that can lead to serious health complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis, and death.
+== Overview ==
-* [[Polio]], a viral disease that can cause paralysis and death.
-* [[Tetanus]], a bacterial disease causing muscle stiffness and spasms, often leading to death if untreated.
-* [[Diphtheria]], a bacterial infection that can cause breathing difficulties, heart failure, and death.
-* [[Pertussis]] (Whooping Cough), a highly contagious bacterial disease known for uncontrollable, violent coughing which often makes it hard to breathe.
-* [[Hepatitis B]], a viral infection that affects the liver and can lead to chronic disease and liver cancer.
-* [[Human Papillomavirus]] (HPV), a viral infection that can cause cervical cancer, other types of cancer, and genital warts.
-==Vaccination Programs and Impact==
+Vaccines have been developed to protect against a variety of infectious diseases. These vaccines work by stimulating the body's [[immune system]] to recognize and fight the pathogens they target. The introduction of vaccines has led to a significant reduction in the incidence of many diseases that were once common and often fatal.
-Vaccination programs have had a profound impact on the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases. For example, the [[World Health Organization]] (WHO) declared smallpox eradicated in 1980 following a global immunization campaign. Similarly, polio has been eliminated in most parts of the world, and efforts continue to eradicate it completely.
-Despite the success of vaccination programs, vaccine-preventable diseases still pose a threat, particularly in areas where vaccine coverage is low. Outbreaks of diseases like measles and whooping cough have occurred in recent years, highlighting the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates.
+== Common vaccine-preventable diseases ==
-==Challenges and Controversies==
+Some of the most well-known vaccine-preventable diseases include:
-Vaccine hesitancy, the reluctance or refusal to vaccinate despite the availability of vaccines, is a significant challenge to public health efforts to control vaccine-preventable diseases. Misinformation about vaccine safety and efficacy has contributed to this issue.
-==Conclusion==
+* [[Measles]]
-Vaccine-preventable diseases have significantly decreased due to the widespread use of vaccines, saving millions of lives and improving the quality of life for many. Continued efforts to increase vaccine coverage and address vaccine hesitancy are essential to prevent outbreaks and further reduce the incidence of these diseases.
+* [[Mumps]]
+* [[Rubella]]
+* [[Polio]]
+* [[Diphtheria]]
+* [[Tetanus]]
+* [[Pertussis]] (whooping cough)
+* [[Hepatitis B]]
+* [[Hepatitis A]]
+* [[Influenza]]
+* [[Human papillomavirus]] (HPV)
+* [[Varicella]] (chickenpox)
+== Impact of vaccination ==
+The widespread use of vaccines has led to the [[eradication]] of [[smallpox]] and the near-eradication of [[polio]]. Vaccination programs have also significantly reduced the incidence of diseases such as measles, mumps, and rubella. The [[World Health Organization]] (WHO) and other health organizations continue to promote vaccination as a critical component of public health.
+== Challenges ==
+Despite the success of vaccines, there are challenges in achieving high vaccination coverage. These include vaccine [[hesitancy]], logistical issues in vaccine distribution, and the need for continuous monitoring of vaccine safety and effectiveness. Efforts to educate the public about the benefits of vaccination and to address concerns about vaccine safety are ongoing.
+== Related pages ==
+* [[Vaccination]]
+* [[Immunization]]
+* [[Herd immunity]]
+* [[World Health Organization]]
+== References ==
+{{Reflist}}
 [[Category:Vaccination]]
 [[Category:Infectious diseases]]
-[[Category:Public health]]
-{{medicine-stub}}