Immunisation is the easiest way to save lives

THERE is a grouping of statues unveiled in 2010 at the World Health Organisation (WHO) headquarters in Geneva in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the eradication of smallpox. The smallpox vaccine was discovered by Edward Jenner and is the world’s first vaccine. It remains the most successful one. Ever since then, health care providers all over the world have been united in their affirmation that prevention is better than cure and that protection by vaccination is the easiest way to save lives and prevent disability.

However, the strength of many immunisation programmes and henceforth their success depends on public confidence and promotion. For this reason many countries provide free vaccination for infants as well as compulsory vaccination for army personnel. Some countries however are less privileged and although we are very near to a polio free world, it can only be declared eradicated if the world again embraces vaccination, said Dr Alex Khoo Peng Chuan.