Latest news with #ExpandedProgrammeonImmunisation
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Why childhood vaccines matter: Paediatrician raises concern on the alarming decline in global vaccine coverage
Most parents in India follow the vaccination schedule because it's part of growing up. But beyond that routine lies a worrying trend. Global childhood immunisation, which once saw steady progress, is now slowing, and millions of children remain vulnerable to diseases we thought were under control. According to a 2025 update by the WHO and Unicef, 14.3 million infants worldwide received no vaccines at all last year, while another 20 million missed at least one critical dose of the DTP vaccine, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. Childhood should be protected, not paused. Vaccines help make that possible.(Adobe Stock) In clinical practice, this is more than data—it's visible in children who arrive with infections that could have been avoided, and in communities dealing with outbreaks that spread simply because protection levels dropped. Dr Vignatha Sajja, Consultant Paediatrician, Arete Hospitals, shares with Health Shots, five essential reasons why timely childhood vaccination matter more than ever: 1. Protection when the body is still learning The first five years of life are biologically fragile. A young child's immune system is still developing and doesn't yet know how to fight many infections. That's where vaccines step in—offering essential protection before natural defences mature. Diseases like measles, diphtheria, and polio don't give you time to prepare. They strike quickly, and in unvaccinated children, can cause complications that leave lasting damage, or worse. Global immunisation programs, such as the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), have prevented over 150 million child deaths since 1974. The numbers speak for themselves. 2. Building a safety net for all Vaccines work best when most people get them. When a large part of the population—about 95%—is immunised, it creates a buffer that protects even those who aren't vaccinated, such as newborns or children undergoing medical treatments. When enough children in a community are vaccinated, it creates a protective barrier that slows the spread of disease,even to those who aren't immunised. Herd immunity is effective only when a sufficient number of children are vaccinated. But measles shots have been slipping through the cracks. In 2024, only 84% of children worldwide received protection, far short of the mark needed to prevent outbreaks. As a result, measles made a comeback in over 60 countries, even in places where it hadn't shown up in years. 3. Reducing health inequity Children who miss vaccines aren't always in far-off regions. Even in India, access to routine immunisation depends heavily on geography and infrastructure. Children in urban slums, tribal belts, or conflict-affected areas often fall through the cracks. That's why national efforts like Mission Indradhanush were launched—to reach the last-mile child in India. When parents everywhere ensure their children are vaccinated, it not only protects their homes but also helps reduce the health gap between rural and urban India. 4. Avoiding preventable costs Beyond health, the cost of vaccine-preventable diseases can be high—hospital bills, lost workdays, and slow recoveries take their toll. In the US, regular childhood vaccines are estimated to have saved over $2.7 trillion in societal costs. The figures may differ in India, but the message is clear: stopping disease before it starts is always the wiser investment. 5. Fighting misinformation with awareness The internet is full of misleading claims—some sounding all too credible. Worries about vaccine safety, doubts over their need, or fear of side effects can cause parents to delay or miss doses. However, even brief delays can allow disease to take hold. Vaccines undergo years of rigorous testing and are supported by real-world evidence. Today, the greater risk isn't from the vaccine—it's from the disease waiting on the other side of hesitation. What can parents do? Stick to the national immunisation schedule. Delays reduce effectiveness and increase risk. Maintain a vaccination card or record. This helps track doses and is often required during emergencies or travel. Speak to your paediatrician. Whether you have doubts or missed a shot, an honest conversation helps. Check requirements if relocating. Different regions may carry different disease risks—stay informed. Vaccination is one of the simplest, most powerful ways to secure your child's health. It's not just about disease prevention—it's about giving children the freedom to grow, play, and learn without fear.
The Citizen
16-07-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Measles outbreak spurs urgent vaccination drive in Gauteng
The Gauteng Department of Health has intensified public health efforts in response to a surge in measles cases across Gauteng. Prof Talitha Crowley, a public health expert from the University of the Western Cape (UWC), has also urged a further scale-up of measles vaccinations to help curb the ongoing outbreak. Crowley, who is the academic division head at the School of Nursing, said Gauteng's vaccination coverage (reportedly under 75%) is well below the threshold to prevent outbreaks. 'To prevent any measles outbreak, we actually need less than 5% who are not vaccinated in a community. In other words, 95% vaccination coverage.' In Gauteng, a total of 181 laboratory-confirmed measles cases have been reported from January 1 to June 13, with many of these cases emanating from the Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni districts. 'In Gauteng, districts with high numbers of zero-dose children (those who have received no immunisations) may experience a surge in cases,' said Crowley. She noted that according to a vaccine hesitancy webinar conducted by the Department of Health last year, in some areas up to 22% of children were unvaccinated. 'Children are routinely vaccinated against measles at six and 12 months as part of South Africa's Expanded Programme on Immunisation. Catch-up doses are available for those who missed their vaccinations, with no upper age limit.' Despite being vaccine-preventable, measles continues to pose a serious health threat, particularly to young children and vulnerable communities. She warned that it is not just a childhood illness, but it is a highly contagious viral disease that can lead to severe complications and even death. It spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can linger in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours, making it alarmingly easy to contract. Symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after exposure, beginning with fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. A few days later, a distinctive red rash emerges on the face and spreads across the body. 'By the time the rash appears, the person is already in the most contagious phase. Complications from measles can be devastating. The virus damages the lining of the skin, gut, lungs, eyes, and sometimes the liver and brain, while also weakening the immune system,' explained Crowley. 'This can lead to diarrhoea, pneumonia, blindness, encephalitis, and even death. Children under two, those who are malnourished, and immuno-suppressed individuals are especially at risk.' As for prevention, vaccination remains the most effective defence, said Crowley. 'One dose of the measles vaccine offers about 93% protection, and two doses increase this to around 97%.' While rare, vaccinated individuals can still contract measles, but their symptoms are usually mild and less likely to spread. Crowley advised: 'If symptoms appear, seek medical attention immediately and inform your healthcare provider. Measles is a notifiable condition in South Africa. With vigilant immunisation efforts and public awareness, measles can be controlled and lives can be saved.' From January to June, 379 laboratory-confirmed measles cases and 409 rubella cases were reported by the Measles Reference Laboratory at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases in South Africa. Measles surveillance using wastewater has identified evidence of measles predominance in Gauteng, with sporadic detections in other provinces. ALSO READ: New Ward 44 councillor vows to tackle service delivery Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
15-07-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Gauteng's measles outbreak prompts urgent call for vaccination
In Gauteng a total of 181 laboratory-confirmed measles cases have been reported from 1 January to 13 June 2025. Image: Supplied The provincial Department of Health has intensified its public health efforts in response to a surge in measles cases across Gauteng. A public health expert from the University of the Western Cape (UWC) has also urged a further scale-up of measles vaccinations to help curb the ongoing outbreak. Prof Talitha Crowley, the Academic Division Head at the School of Nursing, said that vaccination coverage in the province, reportedly under 75%, is well below the threshold to prevent outbreaks. "To prevent any measles outbreak, we actually need less than 5% who are not vaccinated in a community. In other words, 95% vaccination coverage." In Gauteng, a total of 181 laboratory-confirmed measles cases have been reported from 1 January to 13 June 2025, with many of these cases emanating from Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni districts. She continued, 'In Gauteng, districts with high numbers of zero-dose children - those who have received no immunisations - may experience a surge in cases.' UWC Associate Professor Talitha Crowley Image: UWC According to a vaccine hesitancy webinar conducted by the Department of Health in 2024, in some areas up to 22% of children were unvaccinated Prof Crowley noted. 'Encouragingly, the Cape Metropole increased its under-5 immunisation coverage to 90% by early 2025, thanks to targeted campaigns. Children are routinely vaccinated against measles at six and 12 months as part of South Africa's Expanded Programme on Immunisation. Catch-up doses are available for those who missed their vaccinations, with no upper age limit.' Despite being vaccine-preventable, measles continues to pose a serious health threat, particularly to young children and vulnerable communities. She warned that measles is not just a childhood illness - it's a highly contagious viral disease that can lead to severe complications and even death. It spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can linger in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours, making it alarmingly easy to contract. Symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after exposure, beginning with fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. A few days later, a distinctive red rash emerges, starting on the face and spreading across the body. 'By the time the rash appears, the person is already in the most contagious phase. Complications from measles can be devastating. The virus damages the lining of the skin, gut, lungs, eyes, and sometimes the liver and brain, while also weakening the immune system,' explained Prof Crowley. 'This can lead to diarrhoea, pneumonia, blindness, encephalitis, and even death. Children under two, those who are malnourished, and immunosuppressed individuals are especially at risk.' As for prevention, vaccination remains the most effective defence, said Crowley, 'One dose of the measles vaccine offers about 93% protection, and two doses increase this to around 97%. While rare, vaccinated individuals can still contract measles, but symptoms are usually mild and less likely to spread.' In cases where someone is exposed to measles, individuals should confirm their immunity status - the body's ability to resist disease either naturally or through vaccination. Post-exposure vaccination within three days can help prevent infection. Prof Crowley advised: 'If symptoms appear, seek medical attention immediately and inform your healthcare provider. Measles is a notifiable condition in South Africa. With vigilant immunisation efforts and public awareness, measles can be controlled and lives can be saved.'
Hindustan Times
28-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Health Talk: India ranks 2nd in unvaccinated kids but comparison somewhat flawed
India has had the most number of unvaccinated children— 1.4 million— after Nigeria (2.5million), of the 15.7 million unvaccinated children globally in 2023, data published in The Lancet on Tuesday said. The world has made unprecedented progress in vaccinating children against life-threatening disease since WHO established the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in 1974 (HT Photo/ Representative photo) According to the paper, at least half of the world's 15.7 million unvaccinated children in the same year were living in just eight countries, with 53% in sub-Saharan Africa and 13% in south Asia. The Democratic Republic of Congo (882,000), Ethiopia (782,000), Somalia (710,000), Sudan (627,000), Indonesia (538,000), and Brazil (452,000) were the other countries with high unvaccinated children load globally. In the south Asian region, the countries with the highest number of zero-dose children in 2023 after India were Pakistan (419,000), Nepal (11,000), and Bangladesh (6,000). The paper also has new projections through 2030 on global childhood vaccine coverage that shows that the world will fail to meet the World Health Organisation's (WHO) immunisation goals unless substantial improvements are made in the next five years. 'The world has made unprecedented progress in vaccinating children against life-threatening disease since WHO established the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) in 1974. Despite the progress of the past 50 years, the last two decades have also been marked by stagnating childhood vaccination rates and wide variation in vaccine coverage. These challenges have been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving millions of children vulnerable to preventable diseases and death…,' read the paper. Also Read: Health Talk | Need for quick vaccine development to save lives While India has been ranked as the country with the second highest number of zero-dose children, the comparison is somewhat flawed. As the ministry of health and family welfare, government of India, has been maintaining that India's vaccination coverage among children has been growing steadily but owing to the country's large population, their comparison with most other countries cannot be without error. Last year, officials aware of the matter in the government, responded to vaccination coverage estimates released by WHO and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) that showed at 1.6 million India had the second highest zero-dose children in the world after Nigeria with 2.1 million unvaccinated children. The officials said that the estimates were flawed as the country's base population had not been taken into consideration while calculating the numbers and if the population had been considered then the percentage would be much less. Also Read: Health Talk | The crucial role of effective vaccine coverage in tackling antimicrobial resistance It is a valid argument as any numbers coming from India— without considering its baseline population— would seem through the roof. The estimation has to grow more nuanced.
Business Recorder
12-06-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
Kamal visits FDI Directorate
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Directorate of Immunisation (FDI) is administering vaccination for protection against 12 deadly preventable diseases through over 9,000 health centres nationwide. This was stated by the Director General (DG) FDI, Dr Soofia Yunus, during a briefing to the Federal Minister for Health, Mustafa Kamal, who visited the FDI Directorate, here on Wednesday to review its operations, performance, achievements and challenges faced by the Expanded Programme on Immunization. The minister was accompanied by Health Secretary Syed Waqarul Hassan, according to the official spokesperson of the Ministry of Health. Dr Yunus, briefed the minister on the functions of the directorate, highlighting the key role of the immunisation programme in preventing 12 deadly vaccine preventable diseases across the country. Recognising the importance of an effective vaccination programme, Minister Kamal instructed that vacant positions within the programme should be advertised immediately and filled with qualified and competent professionals through a transparent recruitment process. 'To ensure the success of the vaccination programme, the appointment of skilled professionals is crucial,' he emphasised. 'We must evaluate the challenges and formulate practical recommendations to strengthen the programme.' He also announced plans to engage with provincial health ministers to build a unified and robust approach to immunisation and directed the teams to share challenges that the minister will be discussing with health ministers for strengthening the Expanded Programme on Immunization. Kamal shared his vision of a transformative shift in the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) by advocating for a model where the responsibility, interest and ownership to seek out immunisation services lies with parents and caregivers, who are encouraged to visit government health facilities proactively. Under this new direction, the emphasis will be on empowering and mobilising communities to take initiative in accessing vaccines, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility. Kamal maintained that this approach will enhance public awareness, strengthen demand, and increase accountability for routine immunisation. By encouraging families to engage actively with the health system, he aims to improve service quality, boost vaccination coverage, and instil long-term health-seeking behaviour, ultimately contributing to a more resilient and sustainable national immunization program. The minister also visited FDI's 1166 Sehat Tahaffuz Free Helpline and the Vaccine Logistics Management Information System (vLMIS) Control Room, where he received a detailed briefing on their operations. He issued directives for further improvement of the systems to enhance service delivery. In this regard, the minister stated that reviewing our existing strategy and learning from our mistakes is an opportunity for us. Hence, FDI Team is directed to redevelop a strategy in 15 days that shall lead us towards our ultimate immunisation goal. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
