Why Are Vaccines So Important?

Vaccines prevent debilitating illness, disability and death from diseases such as diphtheria, hepatitis A and B, measles, mumps, pneumococcal disease, polio, rotavirus diarrhoea, tetanus and yellow fever.  Although they are so widely associated children, the benefits of vaccination extend further to adolescents and adults, providing protection against illnesses such as meningitis and influenza and serious diseases such as cervical cancer.

Ironically, the fact that vaccination has made many infectious diseases rare or almost unheard of can lead to the opinion among parents and health professionals that vaccination is no longer necessary. Due to gaps in vaccination coverage, diseases like diphtheria, measles and polio are making a comeback.  It’s only safe to stop vaccination when a disease has disappeared altogether.  Smallpox was declared to have been completely eradicated in 1979 and vaccinations ceased.  If parents continue to vaccinate their children, it is hoped that polio and measles may follow.

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There will always be children who cannot receive vaccinations, either because they don’t have access to them, there are medical reasons why not or they’re too young, but if the majority of children are vaccinated this helps to prevent disease outbreaks in the community.

Living in the UAE, you are exposed to a global melting pot of cultures, languages…and diseases.  Be responsible - make sure you and your family are adequately vaccinated.

Zainab A. Malik MD, MS, FAAP American Board Certified Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases.

Maida Balila MD, MBBS, FRCP (Canada), American Board Certified Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases.