Healthcare professionals are sounding the alarm as over 3 million children globally have missed routine immunizations post-pandemic, potentially fueling outbreaks of preventable diseases like measles, mumps, and rubella, according to doctors.
Urging proactive measures, they emphasize the importance of ensuring children are up-to-date on their vaccinations, especially with Eid al Adha and summer travel approaching.
A forthcoming study in The Lancet underscores the profound impact of global immunization efforts, estimating that over the past five decades, vaccinations have saved approximately 154 million lives, with infants constituting the majority of those saved. However, recent disruptions in vaccination schedules due to the COVID-19 pandemic pose a significant threat to public health, leading to concerns about potential disease resurgence.
Dr. Renuka Ramasamy, a Specialist in Family Medicine at International Modern Hospital, Dubai, stresses the critical need for timely vaccinations, explaining that vaccines require time to generate protective antibodies in the body. She emphasizes that ensuring children are vaccinated ahead of travel is essential to providing them with adequate protection against infectious diseases.
Despite the importance of immunization, some parents encounter obstacles, leading to missed vaccinations. Dr. Ramasamy reassures parents that missed doses do not necessitate restarting the entire vaccination series, and encourages them to consult healthcare professionals promptly to catch up on missed vaccinations.
Highlighting the World Health Organization's Expanded Program on Immunization schedule, which recommends up-to-date vaccinations for all children, experts emphasize the importance of consulting healthcare providers for tailored advice on travel-related vaccinations.
Dr. Haitham Elsayed Elsadek, a Specialist Pediatric And Neonatologist at Al Zahra Hospital, stresses the importance of ensuring children are vaccinated against both compulsory and optional diseases related to their travel destinations.
Preemptive vaccination, experts assert, is crucial in preventing endemic diseases and safeguarding children from potential health risks associated with travel. Dr. Fatima Mohamad Shahin, a Specialist Pediatrician at Zulekha Hospital Sharjah, underscores the importance of adhering to vaccination schedules, particularly to protect children whose immune systems may not yet be fully developed.
As the world navigates through the complexities of post-pandemic recovery, prioritizing global immunization efforts emerges as a critical strategy to prevent the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases and safeguard public health worldwide.
News Source: Khaleej Times
