Since one of the leading successes of modern medicine—vaccination—is under attack, I thought it might be a good idea to remind everyone why vaccination is important.
- By Aug. 1, 2022, more than 90 million cases of COVID-19 were reported, and 1 million people had died in the United States alone. Experts estimate that COVID-19 vaccination prevented more than 8 million cases, more than 700,000 hospitalizations and 120,000 deaths within six months of being introduced (PLOS One 2023;18[4]:e0275699).
- Routine childhood vaccinations prevented about 508 million cases of illness, 32 million hospitalization and more than 1.1 million deaths among children born between 1994 and 2023.
- Smallpox was declared eradicated on May 8, 1980. Before vaccination, the disease caused about 5 million deaths a year worldwide.
- Once vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis was introduced, the number of cases began to decrease—the annual number has decreased more than 90% since the introduction of the vaccine.
- A vaccine against measles became available in 1963. In the decade before, 3 million to 4 million Americans were infected each year, mostly children. Before vaccination, 48,000 people were hospitalized; 1,000 suffered encephalitis; and 400 to 500 people died from measles annually. It was eliminated in this country in 2020, but is making a resurgence. As of Dec. 5, a total of 283 measles cases were reported by 32 states and Washington, D.C.
- U.S. rubella incidence has decreased by more than 99% from the pre-vaccine era. However, globally, 100,000 infants are born with congenital rubella syndrome each year.
- There has been a nearly threefold decline in meningococcal disease incidence in adolescents thanks to vaccination.
- The rates of invasive pneumococcal disease and pneumonia saw drastic reductions in infants (47%) and adults 65 years and older (54%) thanks to vaccination.
Adults and children in the United States and around the world have benefited from routine vaccinations. With the incoming administration, this lifesaving measure could be at risk.
If you are concerned, contact your senators today, as they confirm the Cabinet members. Let them know why this is an important prevention tool that could save the lives of millions of people in this country.
In addition to being a health issue, it is an economic and a national security issue.
Happy Holidays!
This article is from the December 2024 print issue.