World Immunization Week 2022, a global health campaign coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO), recently occurred from April 24th to 30th. The week’s theme was “Long Life for All,” aimed at promoting the importance and benefits of vaccines in ensuring increased life expectancy and better health conditions for people of all ages. Vaccines have been recognized as one of the most successful and cost-effective health interventions globally, saving millions of lives annually.
Understanding World Immunization Week
World Immunization Week is a yearly event celebrated in the last week of April. Organized by the WHO, the initiative aims to highlight the crucial role vaccines play in protecting individuals of all ages against various diseases. Despite the success of immunization, nearly 20 million children are still either unvaccinated or under-vaccinated around the world.
The Significance of Immunization in Current Times
Over the past 200 years, vaccines have protected humanity against life-threatening diseases, playing an essential role in our overall development. Smallpox, polio, and now Covid-19, vaccines have been instrumental in reducing disease burden and mortality rates. As vaccines continue to evolve with advancements in medical science, we move further towards a world without diseases like tuberculosis and cervical cancer, and childhood illnesses such as tetanus and measles.
Working Mechanism of Vaccines
Vaccines stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies, similar to when exposed to a disease. However, vaccines only contain inactivated or weakened forms of germs, eliminating any risk of causing the disease or its complications. Vaccines are administered at varying age stages, from infancy to adulthood, and a vaccination card is provided for record-keeping.
Simultaneous administration of multiple vaccines (e.g., diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus) is safe, leading to fewer injections and less discomfort. Though vaccines might cause mild side effects like low fever or redness at the injection site, these symptoms typically subside in a few days. Severe side effects are rare, and vaccinations can still be administered during mild illnesses, although individuals with moderate or severe illness should wait until recovery.
Recent Immunization Initiatives in India
India has launched several immunization programs to combat various diseases. The Universal Immunization Programme, Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) 3.0 scheme, and Pulse Polio programme are a few initiatives aimed at expanding vaccination reach and coverage across the country.
Understanding Recombinant Vector Vaccines
Recombinant vector vaccines involve genetic engineering. The gene that produces the protein for a bacteria or virus is isolated and inserted into another cell’s genes. As the cell reproduces, it generates vaccine proteins, enabling the immune system to recognize the protein and protect against it.
