Immunization: The world’s most sustainable public health tool

August is recognized as the International Immunization Awareness Month. The spotlight shines on the crucial role vaccines play in providing a sustainable, costeffective solution for preventing many public health crises, one jab at a time.

Vaccines are not only meant for babies. From adolescence and pregnancy to adulthood, travel and healthy ageing, immunization is a lifelong investment in health.

If we were to place the world in a petri-dish, under a microscope, we would be able to see that it is swarming with millions of pathogens and viruses threatening life on earth. It is a life-long battle to prevent a localized infestation from blowing out-of-proportions into an epidemic or pandemic threatening public health, at-large.

The COVID-19 pandemic is the most reason case in point, which caused millions of deaths worldwide and resulted in ill-health and frailty for patients dealing with long-term Covid -19 symptoms. The vaccination campaign worldwide helped check the onslaught of this pandemic which could have been worse without the jabs.

Currently, the world is battling Ebola, which originated in Africa but with air travel, spread to other regions quickly, resulting in thousands being affected by it. The same can be said for H1N1virus (swine flue), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) or the mutating strains of Influenza A&B that often causes a huge drain on public health expenditure while also causing serious health crisis.

The cost-effective solution to prevent all this is building herd immunity in the community, through vaccine jabs that either contain a weaker version of the virus or are messenger Ribo Nucleic Acid (mRNA).

In the past we have seen lethal diseases such as Smallpox being eradicated. Polio too has been eliminated from most parts of the world. Diseases such as Diphtheria, Measles, Tetanus and Whooping cough, once responsible for countless childhood deaths, have become uncommon in many countries because generations of people rolled up their sleeves for a simple shot.

The numbers tell an extraordinary story. According to WHO, immunization prevents an estimated 3.5 million to 5 million deaths every year, making it one of the most effective and cost-efficient public health interventions ever developed. Yet despite decades of progress, 13.5 million children worldwide were zero-dose in 2025, leaving them vulnerable to diseases that modern medicine can largely prevent.

Internationally renowned vaccine expert Melanie Ott concisely explained the significance of vaccines in a write-up in defense of vaccination at a time when many anti-vaxxers have been condemning it. She said, “I am one of those scientists. I want people to know that vaccines are not just tools for preventing infections—they’re pillars of global health, and they offer individual and societal benefits that extend far beyond their original purpose. They save lives, reduce suffering, and build resilience against both current and future health challenges.”

The UAE has one of the region’s strongest national immunization programs, consistently reporting high childhood vaccination coverage through WHO-UNICEF monitoring. In a country that serves as a global aviation and business hub, maintaining high vaccination rates is essential to preventing imported infections and protecting vulnerable populations.

So, who needs vaccines? Who should avoid certain vaccines? How do they work? And what should every family know?

How Vaccines Work?

Vaccines teach your immune system to prepare for combat, even before your are exposed to a certain pathogen. Think of a vaccine as a rehearsal before the real performance. Rather than exposing the body to a dangerous disease, vaccines introduce a harmless or weaker version or a small component of a virus or bacterium. The immune system responds by producing antibodies and building long-term memory. When the actual infection appears months or years later, the body recognizes it immediately and fights it before serious illness develops.

This preventive approach has transformed modern medicine, dramatically reducing hospitalizations, disability and deaths.

In modern times, we now have a synthetic version the mRNA vaccines. As in the case of most COVID-19 vaccines, the mRNA vaccine is a type of shot that teaches your body how to make a harmless protein from a virus, triggering an immune response without using a live germ.

In both types, the goal is preventive health response that prepares the body to deal with the threat when it appears.

US physician William Foege said, “Vaccines are the tugboats of preventive health.” In other words, vaccination prepares the immune system long before exposure occurs. It is one of the few medical interventions that protects both individuals and entire communities.

In childhood every child is vaccinated for polio, Measles, Mumps Rubella (MMR), Diptheria, RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), Tuberculosis. With regular booster shots, it helps the child transition to adulthood with a strong constitution.

However, our vaccine journey does not end with childhood. Immunity against certain diseases gradually weakens and vaccines undergo evolution requiring adults to take new jabs with the passage of time, especially when travelling to new places.

Adults may require protection against with vaccines for:

Seasonal influenza COVID-19 (where recommended) Tetanus boosters Pneumococcal disease Hepatitis A and B Vaccine to protect against the Herpes zoster virus that can cause chicken pox, Herpes and Shingles Human Papillomavirus (HPV) for Cervical Cancer and protection against genital warts and certain throat cancers

As life expectancy increases and more people live with co-morbidites such as diabetes, heart disease and other chronic conditions, adult vaccination is becoming an increasingly important part of preventive healthcare.

The herd immunity factor

Vaccination protects those who cannot protect themselves. One vaccinated person creates a ripple effect. When a sufficiently large proportion of the community is vaccinated, the risk of an epidemic or pandemic drops down as the virus is weakened. The diseases struggle to spread underscoring a concept known as herd or community immunity.

This protection becomes critical for:

newborn babies people receiving chemotherapy organ transplant recipients individuals with weakened immune systems elderly people with multiple health conditions

Maintaining high vaccination coverage is particularly important in internationally connected countries like the UAE, where millions of travelers pass through every year.

All leading hospitals in the UAE, have vaccination clinics during summers as people who are travelling to foreign locations or returning from them, require vaccinations. Vaccination isn’t simply a personal choice. It is a community responsibility because it protects those who are medically unable to receive certain vaccines.

Timing is everything

Vaccines are carefully scheduled. Infants receive vaccines at specific ages because maternal antibodies begin to fade while their own immune systems are still developing.

Delaying vaccines unnecessarily leaves children exposed during their most vulnerable months.

Equally important are booster doses, which refresh immune memory and ensure protection remains strong throughout life. If someone misses a vaccine, doctors can usually recommend a catch-up schedule without restarting the entire series.

Who should and shouldn’t receive vaccines

Most people can safely receive recommended vaccines.

However, some vaccines, particularly live attenuated vaccines, may not be appropriate for everyone.

Extra medical advice is required for:

Individuals with severely weakened immune systems People undergoing chemotherapy Organ transplant recipients taking certain immunosuppressive medications Individuals with a history of severe allergic reactions to vaccine ingredients Certain pregnant women

Ironically, many chronic illnesses make vaccination more important, not less, because infections can lead to far more serious complications.

The vaccine fall-out

Mild side effects after vaccination, are a sign the immune system is working A sore arm, mild fever, and fatigue are among the most common reactions after vaccination. Rather than indicating illness, these symptoms reflect the body’s immune response building protection.

Serious adverse reactions remain extremely rare and are carefully monitored through national vaccine safety systems.

Pregnancy requires a personalized vaccination plan

Vaccination during pregnancy protects two lives. Certain vaccines are recommended because they safeguard both mother and baby, while others should ideally be administered before conception.

Women planning pregnancy should review their vaccination history well in advance.

Similarly, newborn babies begin receiving vaccines according to carefully designed schedules that provide protection during their earliest months.

Travel may change your vaccination needs

Today’s travelers can cross continents in hours, and so can infectious diseases. Travelers may require vaccines depending on their destination and duration of stay. Check the updated list of vaccines depending on the country you are visiting. Some countries also require official vaccination certificates before entry. Travel medicine consultations are ideally scheduled four to six weeks before departure.

Vaccine Myths

While vaccine science has advanced dramatically, misinformation has spread even faster. Health authorities warn that declining vaccine confidence has contributed to the resurgence of diseases previously under control.

Measles illustrates the challenge. Because it is among the world’s most contagious diseases, even small declines in vaccination coverage can trigger outbreaks.

Globally, 84% of children received their first measles vaccine dose in 2025, still well below the 95% coverage considered necessary to interrupt transmission. Recent outbreaks in several countries demonstrate how quickly immunity gaps can reopen the door to diseases once thought defeated.

Virologists across the world debunk the myth that earlier held the Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine responsible for triggering autism in some children. An earlier study on this was found to have fabricated this fact. Typically, the MMR vaccine is administered to children in two doses at 12 months and 15 months. It is also the age where the child is likely to display symptoms of Autism the first time. Therefore, the misconception that MMR triggered autism. In a study conducted in over 95,000 children who had taken the MMR vaccine, not evidence was found to co-relate the vaccine to autism. “The greatest threat today isn’t vaccine science but misinformation. Patients should feel comfortable discussing concerns with qualified healthcare professionals rather than relying on unverified social media posts,” explained the head of a vaccination clinic in Dubai.

Keep your vaccination record updated

Most people know where their passport is. Far fewer know where their vaccination record is. Keeping an updated immunization record helps healthcare providers determine whether boosters are required and avoid unnecessary repeat vaccinations.

It also simplifies:

school admissions university enrolment employment medicals overseas travel immigration requirements

Digital health records have made access easier than ever, but maintaining a personal copy remains a wise habit.

The message is simple: few interventions deliver greater returns than a vaccine given at the right time.

Vaccines save millions of lives by preventing dangerous diseases, protecting community health, and stopping dangerous outbreaks before they spread widely

Key Health Benefits

Disease Prevention: Stops serious illnesses like measles, polio, and flu from harming the body.

Community Protection: Creates herd immunity, which shields babies, elderly people, and those who cannot get vaccinated.

Cost Savings: Lowers medical bills and time missed from work or school by avoiding long hospital stays.

Global Safety and Impact

Safe and Tested: Goes through strict checks and science tests before doctors give them to people.

Erases Diseases: Helps the world completely get rid of deadly infections like smallpox in the past.

As per the World Health Organization guidelines every new born must mandatorily get the following vaccinations;

DTaP Vaccine: Protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis). Initial doses are given at 2, 4, and 6 months, with the first toddler booster administered between 15 and 18 months of age. The MMR vaccine is administered to infants in a two-dose schedule, consisting of the first dose at 12 months and a booster (second) dose at 18 months of age. Hib Vaccine: Protects against severe bacterial infections like meningitis. Given in a series at 2 and 4 (and sometimes 6) months, with a booster dose at 12 to 15 months of age [0.3]. Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV) Vaccine: Protects against pneumococcal disease. Primary shots occur at 2 and 4 months, followed by a booster dose at 12 months of age. Polio (IPV) Vaccine: Protects against poliomyelitis [0.8]. Given at 2 and 4 months, with an additional dose or booster between 6 and 18 months, and later preschool boosters

Vaccine preventable diseases

Here is a representative list of disease that can be avoided with vaccination

Cholera, Covid-19, Diphtheria, Hemophilus Influenza Type B, Hepatitis A &B, Human Papilloma Virus(HPV), Influenza, Japanese Encephalitis, Measles, Mumps, Meningococcal diseases, Mpox, Poliomyelitis, Q fever, Rabies, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Rotavirus, Rubella, Zoster (herpes zoster).