Immunization: the paramount player of the last centuries

Now more than ever, following the declaration of the end of COVID-19 as a global health emergency, people are aware of the importance and effectiveness of vaccines. Previous studies and the accelerated and dedicated efforts of scientists, pharmaceutical companies, and clinical research professionals allowed vaccines to be developed in record time, enabling us to confront the pandemic, reduce cases and prevent deaths when transmission of the disease occurred.

The COVID-19 pandemic is one recent example of the struggle throughout human history to find ways to prevent and address infectious diseases. Six centuries ago, humans began intentionally exposing individuals to contagious diseases to induce resistance. Through much trial and error and practices that would now be considered unethical, scientists gradually accumulated knowledge and techniques that led to the development of successful vaccines. These vaccines have protected people from over 20 infectious diseases, ranging from Smallpox to Cervical Cancer.

If in the first half of the 20th century, vaccines emerged as the medical breakthrough that saved the most lives in human history. The global vaccination campaign that took place in the second half of the same century allowed us to eradicate Smallpox, nearly eliminate cases of Polio, and prevent deaths from other contagious diseases. In the last thirty years, child deaths have decreased by 50 percent1The COVID-19 pandemic is one recent example of the struggle throughout human history to find ways to prevent and address infectious diseases. Six centuries ago, humans began intentionally exposing individuals to contagious diseases to induce resistance. Through much trial and error and practices that would now be considered unethical, scientists gradually accumulated knowledge and techniques that led to the development of successful vaccines. These vaccines have protected people from over 20 infectious diseases, ranging from Smallpox to Cervical Cancer.

If in the first half of the 20th century, vaccines emerged as the medical breakthrough that saved the most lives in human history. The global vaccination campaign that took place in the second half of the same century allowed us to eradicate Smallpox, nearly eliminate cases of Polio, and prevent deaths from other contagious diseases. In the last thirty years, child deaths have decreased by 50 percent (1), and one of the main reasons has been pro-vaccination advocacy campaigns. Immunization has proven to be one of the most effective and cost-efficient methods for improving global Public Health.

In 1974, recognizing the effectiveness of vaccines in eradicating Smallpox, the World Health Organization (WHO) established the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI). This initiative was embraced enthusiastically by governments and multilateral organizations, aiming to ensure equitable access for children, regardless of their location or socioeconomic status, to vaccines against six preventable diseases: Tuberculosis, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, and Measles. To date, every country has implemented an effective immunization program tailored to its national needs and realities. The program has significantly enhanced public health interventions and prevented avoidable deaths globally. Other notable successes include the eradication of Smallpox, establishment of a robust vaccine supply chain, a 99% reduction in Polio cases, development of new vaccines, and inclusion of adults in vaccination efforts.

Today, we celebrate the remarkable achievements and progress made over the past 50 years since the inception of this program, which aligns with the Emmes Group’s commitment to advancing public health and biopharma innovation, as well as VaxTRIALS, part of Emmes Group goal of enabling the eradication of preventable diseases.

One of the key areas that has enabled this historic milestone and the development of increasingly effective vaccines of higher quality and in less time has been clinical vaccine studies. Over the past five decades, the field of clinical vaccine trials has strengthened, standardized, and implemented safer and more inclusive protocols and practices. Organizations like ours have played a pivotal role in the development and evaluation of new vaccines, as well as in the enhancement of existing ones, always adhering to high standards of quality, ethics, and regulation.

Now, immunization saves 3 to 5 million lives each year. We are proud of the work our teams have done to help advance vaccine research and availability. Vaccines that Emmes and VaxTRIALS have contributed to include:

• Influenza
• Malaria
• Smallpox
• COVID-19
• Polio
• Pertussis
• Dengue
• Shingles
• Meningococcal

So, as we recognize World Immunization Week, we also recognize the efforts of each of our colleagues who have contributed and continue to contribute to this important, life-saving work.

References

(1) All the facts and?figures about immunization and EPI have been sourced from the WHO website, specifically from the commemorative article on the 50th anniversary of EPI.