Vaccines have been one of the greatest medical advancements in history, saving countless lives and preventing the spread of dangerous diseases. Thanks to vaccines, many childhood scourges that once plagued society have been all but eradicated. Here are six childhood scourges that we’ve forgotten about, all thanks to vaccines.
1. Polio: Polio was once a terrifying disease that left thousands of children paralyzed or even dead. Thanks to the development of the polio vaccine in the 1950s, cases of polio have drastically decreased and the disease is now on the brink of eradication worldwide.
2. Measles: Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis. Before the measles vaccine was introduced in the 1960s, millions of children around the world would contract the disease each year. Thanks to widespread vaccination efforts, measles cases have plummeted by over 99% in the United States alone.
3. Whooping Cough: Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can be especially dangerous for infants. Before the introduction of the pertussis vaccine in the 1940s, whooping cough was a major cause of childhood mortality. Thanks to vaccines, cases of whooping cough have decreased significantly.
4. Rubella: Rubella, also known as German measles, can have serious consequences if contracted during pregnancy, leading to birth defects and miscarriage. The rubella vaccine, introduced in the 1960s, has been successful in reducing cases of rubella and its associated complications.
5. Mumps: Mumps is a viral infection that can cause swelling of the salivary glands, as well as more serious complications such as meningitis and deafness. Thanks to the mumps vaccine, cases of mumps have declined drastically since its introduction in the 1960s.
6. Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib): Hib is a bacterium that can cause serious infections such as meningitis and pneumonia in young children. The Hib vaccine, introduced in the 1980s, has been highly effective in reducing cases of Hib infections and their associated complications.
Overall, vaccines have played a crucial role in eliminating many childhood scourges that once posed a serious threat to public health. Thanks to the power of vaccination, children today are protected from diseases that were once commonplace. It is important to continue to support vaccination efforts to ensure that these childhood scourges remain a thing of the past.
