Importance Of Paediatric Vaccinations

Introduction 

Vaccination is a crucial tool in preventing millions of deaths worldwide each year from diseases like measles, diphtheria, and polio. It is particularly important for vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant women, and older adults. By getting vaccinated, you not only protect yourself and your family but also contribute to community health.¹

Vaccines work by teaching the immune system to create antibodies and defend against various diseases. This process mirrors how our bodies respond when we naturally contract an illness, but vaccination is a safer method for our immune system to learn. Once our bodies have learned how to combat disease through vaccination, it typically provides lifelong protection, depending on the type of vaccine.²

Benefits of paediatric vaccinations

Here a some important benefits of paediatric vaccinations:³

• Immunisation is a global health success story, saving millions of lives annually
• Vaccines work with the body's natural defences to reduce the risk of disease and prompt the immune system to respond
• Over 20 vaccines are now available to prevent life-threatening diseases, preventing 3.5-5 million deaths yearly
• Immunisation is a fundamental human right and a crucial investment in public health
• Vaccines play a vital role in preventing and controlling infectious disease outbreaks, contributing to global health security and combating antimicrobial resistance
• Vaccines train the immune system without causing disease or complications, protecting against a range of diseases including cervical cancer, cholera, COVID-19, and more
• Some vaccines are only necessary in specific regions or situations, so consult with healthcare providers to determine appropriate vaccinations for you and your family
• Effective vaccines and immunisation programs have significantly reduced childhood deaths
• Vaccinations not only prevent fatalities but also ward off severe illnesses and disabilities. Moreover, they safeguard not only individuals but also the overall health of the community
• Herd immunity, or population protection, occurs when a sufficient number of people are immunised against an infection, preventing its transmission within the community⁴

Safety and efficacy

Overview of vaccine safety protocols

Vaccines are subject to rigorous testing and monitoring to ensure safety throughout their development and approval process. This starts with extensive laboratory research and progresses to human trials, where volunteers assess the vaccine's safety, efficacy, and optimal dosage. Even after approval, each batch of vaccines undergoes testing for potency, purity, and sterility. Clinical trials advance through three phases, spanning several years and involving increasing numbers of participants to evaluate safety and efficacy.⁵

Once vaccines are in use, various monitoring systems, such as VAERS, VSD, PRISM, CISA, and BEST, track their safety in the US. This monitoring and regulatory system depends on the country seeking approval. Post-approval monitoring, including Phase 4 safety monitoring and surveillance systems like VAERS and VSD, continues to ensure ongoing safety. During emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic, additional safety measures, like V-safe, are implemented to monitor vaccine recipients for adverse effects. These comprehensive systems uphold stringent safety standards and contribute to public health protection.⁶

Over the years, improvements in vaccine production and administration have reduced side effects. Continued advancements in vaccine safety are anticipated in the future. Vaccines remain a cornerstone of public health, evolving to prevent disease and promote well-being.

Addressing common misconceptions about vaccine safety

Misconceptions surrounding vaccines persist due to a lack of understanding about their functionality. Here a some common misconceptions about vaccine safety:⁷

• "Overloaded Immune System" misconception: suggests that multiple vaccines administered simultaneously could overwhelm a child's immune system. However, studies have consistently shown that combining vaccines or administering them together poses no higher risk than giving them separately. Delaying vaccinations based on this notion is unfounded and puts children at risk
• “Disappeared diseases” misconception: the belief that diseases like polio have vanished from some countries leads some to question the necessity of vaccinating against them. Yet, these diseases remain prevalent in other parts of the world and could resurface if introduced. High vaccination rates prevent such outbreaks
• "More Vaccinated Than Unvaccinated People Get Sick" misconception: While vaccinated individuals can still contract a disease due to imperfect immunity, the proportion of vaccinated individuals affected is significantly lower than unvaccinated ones, showcasing the effectiveness of vaccines
• “Hygiene and better nutrition are responsible for the reduction in disease spread, not vaccination” misconception: Some argue that improved hygiene and nutrition, not vaccines, are responsible for reduced disease rates. However, historical data demonstrates the drastic decline in diseases like measles following vaccine introduction, indicating vaccines' primary role
• "Natural Immunity Is Better Than Vaccine-acquired Immunity" misconception: this is refuted by evidence. While natural immunity may last longer in some cases, the risks associated with natural infection outweigh those of vaccination for all recommended vaccines. Additionally, certain vaccines provide more effective immunity than natural infection, further highlighting their importance

Herd immunity

When a significant portion of the population is vaccinated against infectious diseases, it creates an immune barrier that makes it difficult for these diseases to spread. This phenomenon is known as herd immunity, community immunity, or herd protection. Herd immunity offers crucial protection to vulnerable individuals such as newborns, the elderly, and those too ill to receive vaccinations.⁸

However, it's important to note that herd immunity does not safeguard against all vaccine-preventable diseases. Diseases like tetanus, which are contracted from environmental bacteria, are not prevented by herd immunity.

For herd immunity to be effective, a large majority of the population must be vaccinated. Typically, around 95% of the population needs to be vaccinated against diseases like measles to provide protection to those who cannot be vaccinated. If vaccination rates drop, herd immunity becomes less reliable.

While vaccination rates may be high on a national level, disparities exist within communities, with some areas having lower vaccination rates. In such areas, individuals who remain unvaccinated are at increased risk of contracting and spreading diseases. The 2013 measles outbreak in Wales serves as a stark example of how low vaccination rates can lead to rapid disease spread.

Herd immunity does not offer individual-level protection as robust as vaccination does. Therefore, it should not be seen as a substitute for individual vaccination. Certain vulnerable groups, including those with compromised immune systems, rely on herd immunity for protection against life-threatening diseases.

Challenges and controversies

Resistance to vaccination has persisted since the development of the first smallpox vaccine by Edward Jenner in 1796. Prior to Jenner's discovery, variolation was practised, but concerns about safety and effectiveness existed. Despite Jenner's efforts, public criticism and opposition arose, fueled by religious objections and fears of adverse effects like the "Cow-Mania”.⁹

Mandatory vaccination programs, starting with the British Compulsory Vaccination Act in 1853, triggered widespread resistance and riots. Anti-vaccination sentiments spread across Europe and the United States, leading to movements and the repeal of mandatory vaccination laws.

In the modern era, vaccine hesitancy continued with incidents like the Cutter Incident in 1955, where improperly manufactured polio vaccines caused polio outbreaks. Controversies over vaccines like the DTP vaccine and MMR vaccine further fueled scepticism, often fueled by media coverage and misinformation.

The thiomersal controversy¹⁰ in the 1990s, despite lacking scientific evidence, led to its removal from childhood vaccines, further eroding public trust in vaccine regulation. Resistance to vaccination persists today, with ongoing debates surrounding vaccine safety and efficacy.

Vaccine hesitancy and its causes

The choices we make about vaccines are influenced by many factors, like our culture, beliefs, and how we perceive risks. Experiences with vaccines and whether they are required by law also affect our decisions. Sometimes, our brains play tricks on us, making us hesitant about vaccines because of biases or false beliefs.

The internet and social media play a big role in spreading information about vaccines, but not all of it is true. Some people oppose mandatory vaccines because they value personal freedom or believe natural immunity is better. During the COVID-19 pandemic, doubts about vaccine safety, political beliefs, and distrust in science have made some people hesitant.

To address these concerns, more education surrounding vaccinations is essential and it is necessary to promote well-informed, open discussions within local communities regarding the same.. Building trust and confidence in vaccines is important for keeping everyone healthy.

Summary

Paediatric vaccinations are indispensable for safeguarding public health, preventing millions of deaths annually from diseases like measles, diphtheria, and polio. Vaccines train the immune system to fight diseases effectively, providing lifelong protection in most cases. The benefits of paediatric vaccinations are vast, contributing to global health by preventing millions of deaths yearly, controlling infectious disease outbreaks, and bolstering herd immunity. Vaccines undergo rigorous testing and monitoring to ensure safety, with comprehensive post-approval surveillance systems in place. Addressing common misconceptions about vaccine safety is crucial in combating vaccine hesitancy. 

Despite the successes of vaccination programs, challenges persist, including vaccine hesitancy fueled by socio-demographic, attitudinal, and knowledge-based factors. Combatting vaccine hesitancy requires multifaceted approaches, including public health education and transparent communication, to promote vaccine confidence and ensure continued public health protection.