Vaccine-preventable disease

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:

• Measles
• 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