Infectious diseases represented the most common cause of death in the past. As late as 1900, 65,000 children died each year from whooping cough, diphtheria and scarlet fever alone. Today, such deaths are thankfully the great exception. In addition to the improvement of socioeconomic conditions and the increasing availability of antibiotics, vaccinations have contributed to this.
Vaccinations protect
The immediate goal of vaccination is to activate the immune system against certain invading pathogens and prevent disease. Specifically, prevented are:
- Serious infectious diseases for which there are no or limited therapeutic options against the pathogen. For example, hepatitis B, polio (poliomyelitis), rabies, diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis A in adults.
- Possible serious complications of infectious diseases for example encephalitis (measles encephalitis) with a lethality rate of 20-30%.
- Possible severe disease progression in patients at risk, for example, influenza vaccination in the elderly and people with specific underlying diseases.
- Infectious diseases that can cause serious damage to the child during pregnancy (for example, rubella) or birth (for example, chickenpox).
Collective protection of the population
In addition to protecting individuals against pathogens transmitted from person to person, many vaccinations have another effect: they lead to collective protection of the population. This prevents the occurrence of epidemics and protects individuals who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons. With high vaccination coverage rates, chains of infection can be broken and pathogens can be eliminated regionally and eventually eradicated worldwide. In the case of a disease such as tetanus, whose pathogen is found in the intestines of animals and thus also in the soil, and which can therefore occur after any soiled wound, protection is only available to persons with current vaccination protection. Even a survived disease of tetanus does not guarantee immune protection – only regular vaccination is able to do this.
Eradication of diseases – danger not eliminated everywhere
Large-scale international vaccination programs have so far succeeded in eradicating smallpox worldwide and subsequently discontinuing vaccination. In the case of polio (poliomyelitis), this has also been achieved in most countries of the world and also in Europe. Before vaccination was introduced, polio was still responsible for thousands of deaths and disabilities in Germany as well. Since the polio pathogen is still circulating in some developing countries and thus there is a risk of introduction, vaccination must continue. Diphtheria has also largely lost its terror through consistent vaccination. These successes of vaccination have meant that many people today are no longer aware of the dangers of infectious diseases. It is also often not known that the pathogens that cause measles, mumps and whooping cough are still widespread in our country. Increased travel also poses the risk of importing infectious diseases.
What happens during a vaccination?
A vaccination mimics what happens naturally in the immune system of the infected person. In this process, the body’s own immunologic defense systems are used to build up immune protection by administering killed or severely attenuated pathogens. Renewed contact with the same pathogens then no longer leads to infection or at least no longer to illness. Depending on the vaccine, this protection can be lifelong or must be reactivated by booster vaccinations. For example, according to current scientific knowledge, vaccination against measles–mumps–rubella produces lifelong immunity in almost all vaccinated individuals. Against diphtheria and tetanus, on the other hand, vaccination protection must be refreshed every 10 years, and against the ever-changing influenza virus even annually.
Vaccinate infants and young children
Infants and young children are particularly at risk for infectious diseases. To build early immune protection, most recommended vaccinations should therefore be started in the 2nd month of life. According to the currently valid recommendations of the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO), children should have basic immunization against the following diseases by the completed 14th month of life at the latest:
- Tetanus
- Diphtheria
- Whooping cough (pertussis)
- Polio
- Hepatitis B
- Haemophilus influenza type b
- Pneumococcus
- Rotaviruses
In addition, should be vaccinated at least once against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) and chickenpox. The 2nd MMR vaccination should be done by the end of the 2nd year of life. Meningococcal C vaccination should be given by 12 months of age.
Don’t be afraid of vaccinations
Through the use of combination vaccines, young children today can be effectively protected against many infectious diseases with just a few injections! Modern vaccines are effective and well tolerated. Undesirable serious side effects are observed only in very rare cases. However, with low disease rates achieved, even very rare vaccine complications become a widely discussed problem for society. In many countries, people with vaccine-critical attitudes therefore occasionally enjoy a high level of media attention. Unproven theses or rumors about alleged harmful vaccine consequences (autism, diabetes, MS) can significantly complicate vaccination strategy and lead to setbacks in the elimination of certain diseases. The most common reason for non-vaccination is forgetfulness or false contraindications such as trivial infections. Information on vaccination issues is available from your primary care physician, pediatrician, and public health department.
