Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Medical Advisory Board
Vaccinations have remarkably improved the survival, and health of individuals worldwide. A landmark study published in The Lancet in May 2024 analyzed 50 years of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), and concluded that vaccinations have prevented an estimated 154 million deaths globally since 1974, with the majority occurring in children under five years old. They’ve cut infant mortality by 40 percent globally!
Another study by the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that “better use of vaccines could reduce antibiotic use by billions of doses annually, avert deaths due to antimicrobial resistance, and save money treating resistant infections.”
At the turn of the 20th century in the United States, infectious diseases were rampant. For instance, it was reported that the number of cases of diphtheria, measles, pertussis, and smallpox each exceeded one hundred thousand cases annually. Thousands of patients died from each of these infectious diseases.
In the 1940’s, and1950’s many parents dreaded the coming of summer months because of the increased incidence of poliomyelitis. When Senator Mitch McConnell was two years old, a polio attack paralyzed his left leg. The Senator cautioned that nominees in the new administration in 2025 shouldn’t undermine the huge success of the polio vaccine.
During the 20th century , scientists have made notable progress in reducing vaccinepreventable diseases. Smallpox has been eradicated; and poliomyelitis is on the brink of extinction. The effectiveness of new vaccines in the twenty first century, such as vaccines for HPV, COVID-19, as well as pneumococcal, and Dengue has curtailed the spread of such diseases, and reduced their mortality.
All medications potentially pose risks, and have side effects. Vaccines, like other medical products, can have side effects. They vary from person to person according to the health status of the individual, and the type of vaccine that is administered. Most of the side effects are minor. A routine medical history is obtained to rule out. for instance, an allergic reaction to the vaccine.
People may complain of a low grade fever, headache, feeling tired, sore arm, redness, swelling at the injection site that goes away in a few days. They might feel lightheaded, or dizzy after the injection, which is one reason they’re asked to remain in the area where the vaccine injection was administered for approximately one half an hour to receive treatment if needed. For more detailed information, refer to the CDC’s “Possible Side Effects from Vaccines” referenced below.
The Lancet study also reported that vaccinations have had the greatest health impact on preventing deaths over the past fifty years. The children, especially those under five years of age, gained sixty six (66) years of good health because of the vaccination at an early age. The researchers gathered data from 194 WHO member states, analyzed it, and provided a stunning success story.
In view of the massive reduction in morbidity, and mortality attributed to the effectiveness of vaccinations, it’s a challenge to comprehend the polemics, the spoken and written opposition by a vocal minority, or a person in a leadership position discrediting the efficacy of vaccines.
According to the CDC, approximately 117 million children were born during 1994–2023. And during that time period, routine childhood vaccinations was estimated to save 1,129,000 lives, prevent 32 million hospitalizations, and avert about five hundred million cases of illness!
Many organizations have attested to the effectiveness, and safety of vaccinations — immunizations including CDC, WHO, and NIH. The list is too long to enumerate. The American Academy of Pediatrics (APP) said: We “strongly recommends immunizations as the safest, and most cost-effective way of preventing diseases, disability and deaths.”
Vaccination is the process of introducing a vaccine into the body to produce immunity to a specific disease.
Immunization refers to the process whereby a person becomes protected against a diseasethrough vaccination
This article is intended solely as a learning experience. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options.
