Immunization

International Immunization Issues

 

“Think Globally, Act Locally”

 

Immunization prevents about 2.5 million deaths a year globally.  It is one of the most successful and cost-effective life saving interventions of the past century.  Without immunizations, hundreds of thousands of children and adults would die needless deaths or suffer lifelong effects from diseases such as diphtheria, polio, measles, mumps, and smallpox. 

 

In the United States, we have a successful immunization program with coverage rates over 90% for all childhood vaccines.  Many state governments operate programs to provide access to low-cost or free vaccines for those children and adults who cannot afford them, while the federal government sets aside funding for immunization programs in the US and also for immunization research and safety programs.

 

Many other countries around the world are not able to maintain the level of immunization that the US has. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advocates for the health of all children, including those outside of America.  With this in mind, the AAP recently has begun to expand its efforts to inform and advocate for global immunization issues.  There are many things pediatricians can do locally while thinking globally.

The Importance

 

"Vaccines are some of the most effective tools modern medicine has developed; as crucial to our lives as good roads and indoor plumbing. And the diseases those vaccines fight do not care about borders.  The strongest immigration agency in the world is completely powerless to prevent the tiniest bacteria or virus from crossing its boundary.  And so we must act to ensure that all children everywhere are immunized because what's good for children around the world is also good for our children, and all of us, here at home." – Dr. Shawn Batlivala, MD, FAAP

 

As healthcare professionals know, infectious diseases have no boundaries.  With our world increasingly becoming smaller and smaller, we must be aware of what is happening globally, specifically in terms of disease outbreaks.  One of the best ways to eliminate disease outbreaks or reintroduction of diseases in the US is to make sure all children in the world have access to immunizations.  It is important to understand that keeping children healthy across the world reduces health care costs associated with treatment of vaccine preventable illness to not only the family and individual but to the country.  Additionally, by keeping children healthy, immunization helps extend life expectancy and the time spent on productive activity, thereby contributing to poverty reduction, which also is a priority for the health of children and families, particularly in developing countries. Read more about the importance of international immunizations.

 

 

The Current Successes and Needs

The first decade of the 21st century has been the most productive in the history of vaccine development. Unfortunately, one in 5 children globally do not have access to the important benefits that vaccines provide. 

 

Learn more about the current impact that vaccines have had globally along with the challenges we still face.

 

The AAP's Role

The AAP understands the importance of global immunizations and is dedicated to health of all children, no matter where they are born.  With this in mind, we recently proposed and were awarded a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to focus efforts on increasing global immunization awareness and advocacy.

 

The Academy’s role will center on fostering partnerships to support global immunization initiatives and programs.  The AAP intends to provide you as pediatricians with tools and materials to be advocates locally for these issues.  The AAP intends to promote strategies among pediatric leaders in both developed and developing countries for advocacy

 

The AAP also will be working closely with its Chapter International Immunization Champions to accomplish its goals. 

 

Additionally, the AAP is a partner in many global vaccine campaigns.  Learn more about our involvement with Shot@Life and ONE.

 

The Pediatrician's Role

“Pediatricians should support global immunization to reduce the risk of disease, disability, and death from vaccine-preventable diseases in children living in other countries as well as reducing the risk that these infectious agents will be imported back to the United States and cause outbreaks.” Dr. Walter Orenstein, MD, FAAP

 

As a pediatrician, you can play an important role in issues around global immunizations

• Become an AAP Global Immunization Champion.  Email globalvaccines@aap.org to sign up and learn more.

• Educate patients on global immunization issues by making sure patients who travel are up to date on their immunizations and get any additional vaccines recommended for traveling abroad.

• Become involved in local campaigns or organizations that are fighting for global immunization issues.  As a pediatrician, you are a useful resource of technical medical information. 
• Contact AAP about becoming involved in advocacy about global immunization issues to the federal government or your state government.

• Write letters to the editor or submit Op/Ed articles to your local media outlets.

• Continue to look back at this page for up-to-date resources and news
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Contact your AAP Chapter Global Immunization Champion (link coming soon) or the AAP Manager of Global Immunization Programs for more information.

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