Vaccination is one of the greatest breakthroughs in modern medicine. It is a very effective weapon to target vaccine-preventable diseases. Such is the impact of vaccination that no other medical intervention has ever done more to save lives and improve quality of life.
High uptake rates of vaccines have led to the elimination and, in some cases, the eradication of a number of diseases. The global eradication of smallpox was certified in December 1979 and endorsed by the World Health Assembly in 1980, marking one of the most successful collaborative public health initiatives in history. This was possible through an intensified vaccination plan to eradicate the disease. Smallpox was fatal in up to 30 per cent of cases.
Polio is another success story from vaccination. It was once a disease that was feared worldwide, striking suddenly and paralysing children for life. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative has managed to reduce polio by 99 per cent through a massive vaccination campaign, with only a few cases remaining in Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan. It is estimated that the polio vaccine has saved more than 16 million people.
Although vaccination has led to a dramatic decline in the incidence of several infectious diseases in Malta, some of these diseases are still present in our community and many others are quite common in other countries. If children are not vaccinated, they could easily catch one of these diseases from a traveller or while travelling themselves. This is why the vaccination schedule covers a wide range of vaccines to target specific diseases.
Unfortunately, a number of doubts about vaccines have been created and once a seed of doubt has been planted, it tends to grow. This is being fuelled by sensational media, internet coverage and social media – which are not based on facts or evidence. This has resulted in children not being vaccinated, with the result, for example, that measles is spreading rapidly across Europe. Measles has rebounded in the WHO European region. The disease affected 21,315 people and caused 35 deaths in 2017, following a record low of 5,273 cases in 2016.
Movement of people and lowering rates of vaccine uptake will risk reintroducing measles in Malta so we need to ensure we continue to raise the uptake levels of MMR
One of the ongoing unfounded myths is the linking of vaccines to autism. One doctor first made the allegation on MMR and autism 20 years ago. This has been firmly discredited and he was struck off the register to practise as a doctor.
Autism is a strong and emotive issue and something we all care about. This is why anti-vaccine lobbyists have created myths related to this condition. Studies after studies show that there is no link between the MMR vaccine and autism. International associations of autism clearly confirm this.
In fact, the UK National Autistic Society is clear that there is no link between autism and the MMR vaccine. It has even stated that “no further attention or research funding should be unnecessarily directed towards examining a link that has already been comprehensively discredited”.
Vaccines need to be given to a child at an early age to ensure the child has protection. Breastfeeding offers temporary immunity but not enough to protect from specific diseases that vaccines protect us from. Naturopathy, vitamins and homeopathy are ineffective to protect us from such diseases. Some parents think it is better to let their children get a disease so that they get natural immunity. However, this is very risky as such diseases can have serious complications.
Malta has managed to maintain zero cases of measles during 2016, 2017 and 2018. Coverage rates for the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine in 2016 was 92 per cent for first dose given at 13 months, and 85 per cent for the second dose given at the age of three to four. The World Health Organisation recommends at least a 95 per cent coverage rate. Movement of people and lowering rates of vaccine uptake will risk reintroducing measles in Malta so we need to ensure we continue to raise the uptake levels of MMR.
The real issue here is the very real risks arising from not being protected. Not vaccinating a child with MMR will put the child at risk of measles, mumps and rubella, which can lead to complications, and in some cases can even to death.
In order to control such infectious diseases, we need to work together as governments, health professionals, parents and the industry. Only in this way can we achieve better results.
Dr Charmaine Gauci is Superintendent of Public Health.