Vaccines have saved 154 million lives in the world in half a century, according to the WHO

Vaccines have managed to save the lives of 154 million people in the world, a statistical analysis presented by the World Health Organization (WHO) on the occasion of the start of its Global Immunization Week.

The majority of these saved lives would be children (146 million), particularly those under one year of age (101 million), according to data presented by the United Nations health agency.

More than 60% of this benefit comes from measles vaccines, which are estimated to have prevented the deaths of 94 million people since 1974, although the analysis also highlights the great contribution of the polio vaccine in reducing disabilities.

Vaccinations have contributed to 40% of the reduction in global infant mortality, a percentage that is even higher, 52%, on the African continent.

The study takes into account vaccines against 14 diseases from the so-called Expanded Immunization Program of the WHOlaunched half a century ago and which includes diphtheria, hepatitis B, meningitis A, rubella, tetanus, tuberculosis and yellow fever, among others.

“The life-saving benefits of vaccines are long-lasting, continuing beyond age 50, for all vaccinated people globally.“, holds the WHO.

The data are published at a time of decline in vaccinations, mainly caused by the reduction in immunization programs caused by the covid-19 pandemic, forcing many health systems to reduce their attention to other diseases when the fight against coronavirus was a priority.

The WHO remember that between 2020 and 2022 a total of 67 million children did not receive all the vaccines they needed, which has contributed, for example, to an increase of up to 84% in global measles cases between 2022 and 2023.

“The numbers released are cause for celebration, but also a reminder of what is at stake if we do not continue to invest in immunization now and in the future”warns the health agency.