Diseases: If they are Preventable,
they Must be Eradicated.
People being impacted by diseases and ill health are not uncommon. There are preventable diseases, and Government efforts must focus on preventing these diseases. The responsibility of the communities is to provide awareness about the same. To promote awareness about the crucial role of immunisation, India observes “National Immunisation Day” every year on January 18. In addition to eliminating Polio in 2014, India also achieved another milestone of neonatal tetanus elimination in 2015. The process of vaccination has several contours. Digitising cold chain management and capacity building in repairing and maintaining cold chain equipment are necessary steps the government has put in place. Public participation is crucial for the success of immunisation programs, and awareness campaigns conducted on this day emphasise the importance of timely vaccination, address myths and misconceptions, and encourage parents to vaccinate their children.
We believe unbelievable progress can be made in both inventing new vaccines and making sure they get out to all the children who need them.     Â
Bill Gates
People being impacted by diseases and ill health are not uncommon. Watching the people affected by Polio struggling to cope with the challenges of leading their lives evokes a feeling of pain. Diseases like Polio are preventable. Government efforts must focus on ensuring that these diseases are prevented. The responsibility of the communities is to provide awareness about the same. It is the responsibility of all to ensure that these efforts reach all and eradicate such diseases. India should be proud that Polio, which impacted several children, has been eradicated. Kudos to the governmental initiatives, healthcare workers and participation of several organisations. To promote awareness about the crucial role of immunisation, India observes “National Immunisation Day” every year on January 18. The day is part of the Universal Immunisation Programme, launched in 1985, one of the most extensive vaccination programmes globally. It seeks to vaccinate all children under five and pregnant women against preventable diseases. In addition to eliminating Polio in 2014, India also achieved another milestone of neonatal tetanus elimination in 2015.
The process of vaccination has several contours. Since the vaccines must be preserved in cold storage, the “National Cold Chain Management Information System” provides technical training to the technicians in repairing and maintaining cold chain equipment, leading to capacity building. To strengthen the system, digitising the vaccine network is another vital step.
The success of administering COVID-19 vaccines is an admirable effort by the government, which saved millions of lives and was made possible due to the experience gained by universal vaccination campaigns.
Childhood vaccines are one of the great triumphs of modern medicine. Indeed, parents whose children are vaccinated no longer have to worry about their child’s death or disability from whooping cough, Polio, diphtheria, hepatitis, or a host of other infections. Ezekiel Emanuel
Research continues to develop newer vaccines. Vaccines like the Inactivated Polio Vaccine, Rotavirus vaccine, Measles Rubella (MR) vaccine, Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV), Tetanus and adult diphtheria (Td) vaccine are being made available to the people.
While India has made tremendous progress in immunisation, challenges remain. Vaccine hesitancy, misinformation and logistical issues in remote and rural areas hinder full immunisation coverage. National Immunisation Day serves as a reminder to bridge these gaps and ensure every child receives life-saving vaccines.
National Immunisation Day serves as a reminder to bridge gaps in immunisation coverage and ensure that every child receives life-saving vaccines. Public participation is crucial for the success of immunisation programs, and awareness campaigns conducted on this day emphasise the importance of timely vaccination, address myths and misconceptions, and encourage parents to vaccinate their children.
Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent infectious diseases. It is a gift we give to our children and future generations. Dr Soumya Swaminathan
Toons: Shreya
Logs: M Sai Baba
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