Importance of Immunisation
Immunisation has been key to global public health success, eradicating diseases like smallpox and polio, and significantly reducing other illnesses.
It helps prevent deadly infections, particularly in young children.
South and Southeast Asia account for 6.5% of global antibiotic use, including high consumption of WHO's critically important antibiotics.
Undervaccination Issues
In 2015, an estimated 1.84 million cases and 84,000 deaths occurred due to infections from these pathogens.
Undervaccination leaves children vulnerable to preventable diseases, increases healthcare costs, and contributes to antibiotic misuse, fueling antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and complicating future public health efforts.
‘One Health’ Approach
The ‘One Health’ approach connects human, animal, and environmental health.
It focuses on preventing diseases at their source and reducing the spread of infections, especially through improved vaccination practices.
Impact of Increased Vaccination
Increasing vaccination rates, particularly for pneumonia and Haemophilus influenzae, could drastically reduce infections, deaths, and antibiotic use.
This would benefit vulnerable populations, reduce health disparities, and help combat AMR.
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