Every minute six children around the world are saved thanks to vaccines

154 million. This is the number of lives that vaccines have saved in the last 50 years, according to a WHO study published on Wednesday 24 April in the scientific journal The Lancet.

Vaccines have reduced infant mortality by 40%

That’s six lives saved every minute. The WHO study shows that the vast majority of them, 101 million, are those of newborns. Vaccinations therefore contributed directly reduce infant mortality by 40% worldwide and over 50% on the African continent.

“ Thanks to vaccination, a higher number of children are ever able to survive and develop beyond their fifth birthday than at any other time in history. “he told theFrench media agency Catherine RussellDirector General of Unicef.

Nonetheless, WHO wishes to remain” cautious “, because the study doesn’t cover it than on vaccination against 14 diseasesincluding diphtheria, hepatitis B, measles, whooping cough, tetanus and yellow fever.

The measles vaccine accounts for 60% of lives saved

Among the vaccines included in the study, the one against measles had the most significant impact on reducing infant mortality, they represent 60% of the lives saved. According to the WHO this vaccine” it will probably remain the one that contributes most to preventing deaths in the future », we read in the press release. Significant effects also regarding the polio vaccine, because more than 20 million people who would have been paralyzed can now walkalso indicates the WHO.

“ Thanks to vaccines, smallpox has been eradicated, polio is on the verge of succumbing and, thanks to the recent development of vaccines against diseases such as malaria and cervical cancer, we are expanding the boundaries of diseasedeclared in a statement the Director General of the WHO, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. By continuing research, investment and collaborations, we can save millions more lives today and over the next 50 years “he also noted.

A delay in measles vaccination

But WHO particularly calls for accelerating efforts to reach the 67 million children who did not receive one or more vaccines during the years of the Covid-19 pandemic, during which health services were closed or severely disrupted.

Furthermore, the organization is sounding the alarm measles. Because in 2022 there will still be 33 million children who will have missed a dose. However, coverage of 95% or greater with 2 doses of vaccine is required to protect communities from outbreaks.

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