Immunization protects everyone from fatal diseases: Experts

Srinagar, Nov 10: On ‘World Immunization Day’ health experts reiterated that immunization remains one of the most effective preventive measures to protect infants, children and adults from a range of potentially fatal infectious diseases.
Experts said that adherence to the prescribed immunisation schedule is essential, particularly during childhood, as timely administration of vaccines helps build immunity against several serious ailments before individuals are exposed to them.
Dr Tabassum Jan a general physician at the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK), said that vaccination has played a transformative role in controlling and eliminating several infectious diseases across the world.
“Smallpox has been eradicated globally through sustained immunisation efforts, while diseases such as polio, measles, diphtheria and tetanus have witnessed a significant decline in cases due to widespread vaccination,” she said.
Dr Tabassum said vaccines prevent millions of deaths every year and provide children with protection against infections that can otherwise result in serious complications, permanent disabilities or even loss of life.
“A child who receives all routine vaccines according to the recommended schedule gets protection against several potentially fatal illnesses. Parents must understand that vaccination is not merely a routine medical procedure but an important investment in their child’s health and future,” she added.
Dr Tabassum said immunisation offers protection beyond the individual, as widespread vaccination reduces the circulation of infectious diseases within communities.
Explaining the concept of herd immunity, she said when a sufficiently large proportion of the population is vaccinated, the transmission of infections declines, thereby offering indirect protection to vulnerable groups, including newborns, people with weakened immune systems and those who cannot receive certain vaccines.
Another health expert, Dr Shariz Ahmad posted in Anantnag said the government’s routine immunisation programme covers protection against several major infectious diseases, including tuberculosis through BCG, polio, hepatitis-B, rotavirus, pneumococcal infections, measles-rubella, diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus.
He urged parents to ensure that children receive every recommended dose within the prescribed timeframe, warning that missing or delaying vaccinations can leave them vulnerable to preventable infections.
“Parents should not skip any vaccine dose or take delays lightly. Several infectious diseases continue to circulate, and children who are not fully immunised remain at risk. Vaccination provides protection before exposure to these infections, making prevention far better than dealing with complications after the disease develops,” he said.
Experts also sought to dispel concerns surrounding vaccine safety, saying vaccines undergo extensive testing and safety assessments before being approved for public use.
They said most post-vaccination reactions, where they occur, are generally mild and temporary, including low-grade fever, slight discomfort or pain at the injection site.
Referring to the COVID-19 pandemic, health experts said the global vaccination drive once again highlighted the importance of immunisation in reducing the burden of life-threatening infectious diseases and protecting vulnerable populations during public health emergencies.
They stressed that improving awareness, ensuring easy access to vaccination services and maintaining complete immunisation coverage are essential for preventing outbreaks and building healthier communities.
They appealed to parents and caregivers to maintain their children’s vaccination records and ensure that no scheduled dose is missed. (KNO)