Vaccination is universally recognized as a cornerstone of public health and a pivotal tool in the prevention of infectious diseases. The introduction of vaccines has drastically altered disease trajectories, reducing incidence rates, mortality, and the burden of complications from infectious agents. Large-scale immunization campaigns have led to the global eradication of smallpox and significant reductions in poliomyelitis and measles incidence [1, p. 1026].
Vaccines confer both individual protection and population-level immunity. Herd immunity plays a critical role in protecting immunocompromised individuals and those who cannot receive vaccinations due to medical contraindications. However, vaccination programs face ongoing challenges, including the proliferation of misinformation, vaccine hesitancy, unequal distribution, and disruptions in vaccine supply chains [2, p. 1].
This study aims to evaluate the role of vaccination in reducing global health burdens, highlighting its effectiveness, economic advantages, and barriers to implementation.
A systematic literature review was conducted to prepare this study. Searches were performed across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The review focused on original research articles, reviews, and case studies published in English from 2020 to 2025. Keywords included: vaccination, immunization coverage, herd immunity, vaccine-preventable diseases, vaccine hesitancy, and COVID-19 vaccination.
First and foremost, vaccines play a critical role in the prevention of infectious diseases. Current immunization programs provide protection against more than twenty diseases, including diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, poliomyelitis, and seasonal influenza. Epidemiological data from the World Health Organization indicate that immunization averts approximately four to five million deaths each year, highlighting the significant life-saving potential of vaccines. Vaccines not only prevent morbidity but also reduce the severity of diseases among breakthrough cases, thereby decreasing hospitalization rates and the incidence of long-term complications [3, p. 2].
Herd immunity is another major benefit of widespread vaccination. When a significant proportion of the population is immunized, the transmission of pathogens is interrupted, indirectly protecting individuals who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, such as immunocompromised patients or infants below the recommended age for certain vaccines [4, p. 2]. Studies indicate that high vaccination coverage substantially reduces the incidence of outbreaks and mitigates epidemic peaks, providing population-level protection that individual immunity alone cannot achieve.
Vaccination also has profound economic implications. Immunization programs reduce the burden on healthcare systems by decreasing the need for hospitalization, intensive care, and long-term disease management [5, p. 1]. Analyses from low- and middle-income countries have demonstrated that every dollar invested in childhood vaccination can yield up to forty-four dollars in economic benefits, accounting for reduced medical costs, avoided productivity losses, and the broader societal impact of healthier populations. Such cost-effectiveness underscores vaccination as one of the most economically advantageous public health interventions available.
Despite these successes, significant barriers continue to hinder the optimal impact of vaccination programs. Vaccine hesitancy, often driven by misinformation, safety concerns, and mistrust of health authorities, has emerged as a major global challenge [6, p. 136]. The World Health Organization has identified vaccine hesitancy as one of the top ten threats to global health. In addition, unequal access to vaccines between high-income and low-income countries creates disparities in protection, leaving vulnerable populations exposed to preventable diseases. Logistical issues, such as cold chain maintenance, distribution inefficiencies, and shortages of trained healthcare personnel, further complicate the delivery of vaccines, particularly in resource-limited settings.
References:
1. Maldonado YA. Lessons From a House on Fire-From Smallpox to Polio. J Infect Dis. 2023;227(9):1025-1027. doi:10.1093/infdis/jiad017
2. Clemente-Suárez VJ, Hormeño-Holgado A, Jiménez M, et al. Dynamics of Population Immunity Due to the Herd Effect in the COVID-19 Pandemic. Vaccines (Basel). 2020;8(2):236. Published 2020 May 19. doi:10.3390/vaccines8020236
3. Mohammed I, Nauman A, Paul P, et al. The efficacy and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines in reducing infection, severity, hospitalization, and mortality: a systematic review. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2022;18(1):2027160. doi:10.1080/21645515.2022.2027160
4. Pierik R. Vaccination Policies: Between Best and Basic Interests of the Child, between Precaution and Proportionality. Public Health Ethics. 2020;13(2):201-214. Published 2020 Apr 10. doi:10.1093/phe/phaa008
5. Rodrigues CMC, Plotkin SA. Impact of Vaccines; Health, Economic and Social Perspectives. Front Microbiol. 2020;11:1526. Published 2020 Jul 14. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2020.01526
6. Zimmerman T, Shiroma K, Fleischmann KR, et al. Misinformation and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Vaccine. 2023;41(1):136-144. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.11.014
|
Голосування 
Ця робота ліцензується відповідно до Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
Знайшли помилку? Виділіть помилковий текст мишкою і натисніть Ctrl + Enter