The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that global immunization efforts have saved approximately 154 million lives over the past 50 years, equating to six lives saved every minute.
This achievement is largely due to the impact of 14
vaccines used under the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the significance of
vaccines, stating that they have eradicated smallpox and brought polio to the brink of elimination.
He also highlighted the recent development of
vaccines against diseases like malaria and cervical cancer.
A study by the World Health Organization (WHO) found that immunizations have saved over 101 million infant lives over the past 50 years.
This makes immunization the most effective health intervention in ensuring infants not only survive their first birthday but also lead healthy lives into adulthood.
The study identified
vaccines against 14 diseases, including diphtheria, measles, and polio, as the primary contributors to reducing infant deaths by 40%.
The impact was even greater in Africa, where the reduction was over 50%.
The
vaccine against measles, a highly contagious disease, had the most significant impact.
The WHO emphasized the importance of continued research, investment, and collaboration to save even more lives in the present and future.
The study found that the jab accounted for 60% of the lives saved through immunization.
The polio
vaccine enabled more than 20 million people to walk who would have been paralyzed otherwise.
Each life saved by a
vaccine results in an average of 66 years of full health, totaling 10.2 billion years over five decades.
WHO emphasized the importance of safeguarding immunization progress, as 67 million children missed vaccinations during the
Covid pandemic.