Global immunizations have saved at least 154 million lives over the past 50 years: WHO led study

Posted 25 Apr 2024

2 min read

The study analyzed the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), launched by WHO in 1974 to ensure that all children, in all countries, benefited from life-saving vaccines.

Key findings
- Vaccines saved 6 lives every minute of every year over the past 50 years.
- Measles vaccination had the most significant impact on reducing infant mortality.
- Vaccination against 14 diseases contributed to reducing infant mortality by 40% globally
- For each life saved through immunization, an average of 66 years of full health were gained.

Factors responsible for increase in access to immunisation
- Collaboration among stakeholders such as governments, health agencies, etc.
- UNICEF and GAVI have expanded vaccine access.

Challenges in Immunization
- Inequitable vaccine distribution and Financing of vaccination.
- Underinformed and misinformed populations fear side effects.

Initiatives taken in India
- Mission Indradhanush (2014) aims to cover all children who are partially vaccinated or unvaccinated against vaccine preventable diseases under Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP).
  - UIP provide free vaccines against 12 life threatening diseases like Tetanus, Polio, etc.
- Intensified Mission Indradhanush (2017) progress reaching each child under two years of age and all those pregnant women left uncovered.
- U-WIN digital platform for routine Immunization in pilot mode.

It is a Vaccine Alliance, launched in 2000.
Alliance includes WHO, UNICEF and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) as core founding members.
It was created to expand the impact of EPI and help the poorest countries in the world increase coverage.
In 2014, India became the first implementing country donating to GAVI.

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