Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (Human)

Primary reference(s)

WHO, 2012. Vaccine-preventable diseases and vaccines. In: International Travel and Health, Chapter 6. World Health Organization (WHO). Accessed 20 September 2020.

Additional scientific description

Immunisation, the use of vaccines to produce immunity to specific diseases, is a global health and development success story, saving millions of lives every year. Vaccination is a highly effective method of preventing certain infectious diseases. Vaccines reduce risks of getting a disease by working with each individual’s natural defences to build protection (WHO, no date). Vaccines are generally very safe, and serious adverse reactions are uncommon (WHO, 2012).

Health care now has vaccines to prevent more than 20 life-threatening diseases, helping people of all ages live longer, healthier lives. Immunisation currently prevents 2–3 million deaths every year from diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, influenza and measles (WHO, no date).

Immunisation is a key component of primary health care and an indisputable human right. It is also one of the most costeffective health investments. Vaccines are also critical to the prevention and control of infectious-disease outbreaks. They underpin global health security and are a vital tool in the battle against antimicrobial resistance (WHO, no date).

Despite considerable progress, many people around the world (including nearly 20 million infants each year) have insufficient access to vaccines. In some countries, progress has stalled or even reversed, and there is a risk that complacency will undermine past achievements (WHO, no date).

Global vaccination coverage – the proportion of the world’s children who receive recommended vaccines – has remained the same over the past few years (WHO, no date).

Vaccines train the immune system in humans to create antibodies (WHO, no date).

Vaccines protect against many diseases, including: cervical cancer, cholera, diphtheria, hepatitis B, influenza, Japanese encephalitis, measles, meningitis, mumps, pertussis, pneumonia, polio, rabies, rotavirus, rubella, tetanus, typhoid, varicella, and yellow fever (WHO, no date).

A vaccine against Ebola Virus Disease, which has been prequalified by the World Health Organization (WHO), was developed after disease outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo from 2018 (WHO, 2019).

Not all of these vaccinations are needed in every country (WHO, 2018). Some may only be given prior to travel, in areas of risk, or to people in high-risk occupations. Working with healthcare workers it is important to determine which vaccinations are needed, when and by whom (WHO, no date).

Vaccines contain weakened or inactive parts of a particular organism (antigen) that triggers an immune response within the body. Newer vaccines contain the blueprint for producing antigens rather than the antigen itself. Regardless of whether the vaccine is made up of the antigen itself or the blueprint so that the body will produce the antigen, this weakened version will not cause the disease in the person receiving the vaccine (WHO, 2021).

Metrics and numeric limits

Not applicable.

Examples of drivers, outcomes and risk management

The Global Vaccine Action Plan 2011–2020, endorsed by the 194 Member States of the World Health Assembly in May 2012, is a framework to prevent millions of deaths by 2020 through more equitable access to existing vaccines for people in all communities (WHO, 2013). The Global Vaccine Action Plan was the product of the Decade of Vaccines Collaboration, an unprecedented effort that brought together development, health and immunisation experts, and stakeholders (WHO, 2013).

The WHO is working with countries and partners to improve global vaccination coverage, through the Global Vaccine Action Plan 2011–2020 (WHO, 2013). Through the plan, the WHO:

• Helps all countries to commit to immunisation as a priority, which means it works with them to set national targets and plans, as well as allocate adequate financial and human resources. 
• Supports individuals and communities to understand the value of vaccines and demand immunisation as both their right and responsibility.
• Develops plans and materials to ensure every person is reached with vaccines.
• Strengthens immunisation systems so that they can serve as a platform for delivering other health interventions.
• Works to increase funding for immunisation and ensure safe and reliable vaccine supply systems.
• Develops targeted research and development innovations for new and improved vaccines.

The WHO also works with UNICEF each year to produce national immunisation coverage estimates for Member States. In 2020, the WHO worked with Member States to develop the ‘Immunization Agenda 2030’ (WHO, 2020). With the support of countries and partners, the WHO is leading the co-creation of a new global vision and strategy to address these challenges over the coming decade, to be endorsed by the World Health Assembly. The Immunisation Agenda 2030 envisions a world where everyone, everywhere, at every age, fully benefits from vaccines to improve health and well-being (WHO, 2020).