2023-07-27 23:00:11
In 1976 Dr. Edward Jenner designed what is considered the first vaccine in history.
According to the WHO, thanks to immunizations, between 3.5 and 5 million deaths are prevented annually.
From the one created against hepatitis B to the one that works against measles, these are some of the vaccines with the greatest global coverage.
Immunization is one of the most valuable tools that exist within public health. Since its implementation, millions of deaths have been prevented and it is one of the reasons behind the increase in life expectancy. To date there is a wide variety but there are some vaccines that stand out from the rest for having the highest global coverage.
In the first place, various texts from the 16th century of Chinese culture proposed a similar measure to protect the population. Although it was not until 1976 when the Dr. Edward Jenner designed what is considered the first vaccine in history. At the time he was not taken into account, over the years it was recognized that his contribution has been one of the most important of humanity.
For his part, in 1853 the The UK became the first country in the world to make vaccination against smallpox compulsory. While in 1885 the Frenchman Louis Pasteur developed the first human vaccine against rabies. And finally, in 1986, the first genetically designed immunization against hepatitis B was completed.
What are vaccines made of?
Antigen: is a dead or weakened form of a pathogen (for example, a virus or a bacterium) that prepares our body to recognize and fight a certain disease in the future. Adjuvants: help increase the immune response and thus facilitate the action of vaccines. Preservatives: ensure that the vaccine maintains its effectiveness. Stabilizers: protect the vaccine during transport and storage.
With respect to today, vaccines have helped eradicate more than 20 diseases that were once deadly. While other pathologies have reached the lowest figures in history and could disappear very soon.
However, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), Thanks to immunizations, between 3.5 and 5 million deaths a year are prevented from problems such as diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, and measles.
Childhood vaccines with the highest global coverage
From the official figures published by the WHO, the most common immunizations in the world can be identified. With this in mind, the hepatitis B, along with polio, tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussisare the diseases that had the highest global vaccination coverage in 2022. In all cases, 84% of children under one year of age received them.
While slightly below, with 83% is the biological against measles. While further down the list are the vaccines against meningitis, rubella, pneumococcal diseases and rotavirus.
Are the vaccines safe?
The question is valid and categorically it can be affirmed that it is. Vaccination is safe and, although it can cause side effects, such as pain in the arm or low fever, they are usually very mild and temporary. Although it cannot be ruled out that they cause serious side effects, they are extremely rare.
All Licensed vaccines are rigorously tested throughout the different phases of clinical trials, and continue to be regularly evaluated post-marketing. In addition, scientists constantly monitor information from various sources for signs that they cause adverse effects.
Serious injury from a vaccine-preventable disease is much more likely than from a vaccine. For example, tetanus can cause severe pain, muscle spasms, and blood clots; on the other hand, measles can inflame the brain and cause blindness.
Many vaccine-preventable diseases can kill. The benefits of immunization far outweigh the risks they pose, and without vaccines there would be many more cases of disease and death.
Also read:
Calling the Shots: Why Parents Reject Vaccines | The history of anti-vaccine groups
Mexican children make history and become health promoters for this reason
Timeline with the history and development of vaccines
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