Why does World Vision support the immunisation of children?

One child dies of preventable, poverty-related causes every three seconds. Preventable diseases are killing thousands of children every day. These include polio, measles and tetanus. Diptheria, yellow fever and TB are also common in many countries and are not diseases most New Zealanders need to be concerned about. But there are vaccines for them.

Both UNICEF and the WHO identify immunisation as a proven tool for controlling and even eradicating disease. Immunisation is used widely around the world, as it is more efficient to keep people from falling ill than to treat them once they are sick. UNICEF believes immunisation is essential to save children's lives and to provide an affordable means of protecting whole communities.

It is the most cost-effective and efficient health intervention available because it reduces contagion, strain on healthcare systems, and it saves money that can be used for other health services. Immunisation also avoids suffering, disability and death. In fact, the WHO says immunisation prevented two million deaths in 2002.

For more information see the information sheets on the WHO website:
Safety of injections, factsheet on immunisation.