#Immunisation and #Vaccination

Today marks the beginning of World Immunisation Week.

IMPACT Foundations in Africa and Asia and our Indian partners the PNR Society in Bhavnagar and the KEM Hospital in Pune, take the message of the ‘magic of immunisation’ to men and women living in villages effectively cut-off from the progress being made in cities.

After an encounter with an IMPACT worker, one father in Nepal told fellow villagers that immunisation is like ‘putting a fence around your child to protect them’.

Immunisation has been practiced for centuries and has become a safe and cost-effective weapon in the fight against disease.

Smallpox was eradicated and a global campaign has reduced polio’s incidence dramatically. However, the challenge remains to reach people in the remotest corners of the world, not only to protect individuals but to prevent contagious disease re-gaining a foothold.

Half of all foetuses are affected when mothers contract rubella (German measles) in early pregnancy. Babies may be born with visual or hearing impairment, heart defects, and mental retardation. Miscarriage or stillbirth may also occur. Immunising women before they become pregnant prevents Congenital Rubella Syndrome, yet the vaccine is not routinely given in the developing world.

www.impact.org.uk