The Value Of Vaccines
A new study published in Pediatrics last month highlights the profound impact of routine childhood immunizations in reducing illness and death from vaccine-preventable infections. Because of safe, effective, and highly accessible vaccines, the researchers estimate that more than 24 million incidences of disease (and likely thousands of deaths) were averted in 2019 alone:
Routine immunization reduced the incidence of all targeted diseases, leading to reductions in incidence ranging from 17% (influenza) to 100% (diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type b, measles, mumps, polio, and rubella). For the 2019 United States population of 328 million people, these reductions equate to >24 million cases of vaccine-preventable disease averted.
Routine immunization remains an effective public health intervention to avert disease; maintenance of high rates of vaccination coverage is necessary for sustained impact.
The same group of researchers also studied the economic value of routine pediatric immunization programs measured in dollars and cents. (Both studies were funded by pharmaceutical giant and vaccine-maker Merck & Co.). They found that for every dollar spent on immunizing children, seven dollars were saved on health care and societal costs. Who knew that saving lives also saves money?
From the healthcare payer and societal perspectives, the US childhood immunization program results in cost-savings caused by reductions in cases of disease and disease-related costs. This highlights the continued value of routine childhood immunization in reducing the clinical and economic burden of vaccine-preventable disease. Sustaining high levels of vaccination coverage and adherence to the recommended vaccination schedule are necessary to continue observing the benefits of the vaccination program.
In a commentary on the two studies, Michael D. Warren, M.D. and Monique Fountain Hanna, M.D. correctly cite modern vaccines as “one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.” However, they warn of the impact medical misinformation has on vaccine hesitancy, and the threat that it poses to children’s health:
The studies […] provide strong confirmation of what pediatricians know well: vaccines prevent illness, vaccines save lives, and vaccines are beneficial to society. However, the impact of misinformation on vaccine hesitancy, pervasive inequities among marginalized communities, and the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic on routine preventive care for children underscore the need for pediatricians to be actively involved in assuring a strong system for vaccine delivery and uptake. A concerted effort across all parts of the health care and public health systems can assure that vaccines remain one of the greatest public health achievements of our time.
The pandemic has set children back on getting their routine vaccines on time. Please give your pediatrician’s office a call and schedule a catch-up appointment for these lifesavers.
source http://www.thepediablog.com/2022/09/12/the-value-of-vaccines/
Comments
Post a Comment