What diseases are prevented by vaccination?

 

Vaccinations prevent a range of life-threatening diseases. According to the Global Burden of Disease Study Vaccine Coverage Collaborators' analysis, routine childhood vaccinations are among the most powerful public health interventions available.

The diseases explicitly mentioned as being preventable by vaccination in the provided sources include:

•Diphtheria

•Tetanus

•Pertussis (whooping cough)

•Measles

•Polio

•Tuberculosis (TB)

What caused recent declines in vaccination rates?

Recent declines in vaccination rates can be attributed to several critical factors, as highlighted by the Global Burden of Disease Study Vaccine Coverage Collaborators' analysis.

The primary causes identified include:

•Stagnation in Worldwide Immunization Efforts: There has been a troubling stagnation in worldwide immunization efforts that has left millions of vulnerable children susceptible to preventable diseases. Despite significant progress in expanding vaccine coverage between 1980 and 2023, the momentum has significantly faltered since 2010. This includes measles vaccination coverage declining in 100 of 204 countries between 2010 and 2019, and 21 of 36 high-income countries experiencing declines in coverage for at least one vaccine dose against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, measles, polio, or tuberculosis.

•Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic: The COVID-19 pandemic severely exacerbated existing challenges, leading to sharp declines in global vaccine coverage rates from 2020 onwards. The study estimates that between 2020 and 2023, approximately 15.6 million children worldwide missed their full three doses of the DTP vaccine or a measles vaccine due to the pandemic's fallout.

•Growth of Vaccine Misinformation and Hesitancy: The growth of vaccine misinformation and hesitancy has contributed to faltering immunization progress.

•Persistent Global Inequalities: Persistent global inequalities in vaccine coverage are a significant factor. These inequalities contribute to the persistence of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks worldwide.

•Diversified Challenges and Barriers: The diversity of challenges and barriers to immunization varies widely between countries and within communities. These include:

◦Rising numbers of displaced people.

◦Growing disparities due to armed conflict.

◦Political volatility.

◦Economic uncertainty.

◦Climate crises.

•Potential Decline in International Aid: There is an even greater need to strengthen routine childhood vaccination coverage due to the potential decline in international aid from high-income countries.

These factors collectively increase the risk of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases and underscore the critical need for targeted improvements to ensure that all children can benefit from life-saving immunizations.

What is the Lancet study date?

The Lancet study, which includes the new analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study Vaccine Coverage Collaborators, was published on June 25, 2025.