Immunization

Immunization is a clinical preventive service that is recommended for virtually every child in the world. After proper administration of a single dose or a series of doses of vaccine, they generally confer long-lasting immunity upon the recipient. Vaccines interrupt the circulation of the disease-causing bacteria or virus, which means they protect not only the child vaccinated, but also potentially individuals who were not vaccinated.

Historically, infectious diseases have been a significant source of childhood illness, in many cases leading to disability or death. To this effect, immunization programs for young children are one of the great public health success stories of the twentieth century. Through immunization, smallpox and polio have been eradicated from the western hemisphere, and cases of measles have been reduced by over 99%. In Canada, immunization programs have reduced the incidence of their target diseases (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, mumps, rubella, etc.) by over 90%.

See also...

• What do we know?
• What can be done?
• According to experts