[Vaccines: benefits have been forgotten]

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Immunization

Background:

• Vaccination has historically controlled severe infectious diseases.
• Current vaccine assessment often overlooks benefits, focusing on side effects.
• Societal memory of vaccine-preventable disease impact has diminished.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the epidemiology of major vaccine-preventable diseases.
• To highlight the risks associated with declining vaccination rates.
• To underscore the importance of maintaining high vaccine coverage.

Main Methods:

• Review of epidemiological data for key vaccine-preventable diseases.
• Analysis of trends in vaccine coverage.
• Assessment of disease reintroduction risks based on coverage levels.

Main Results:

• Significant reduction or elimination of diseases due to vaccination.
• Decreasing vaccine coverage trends observed in various regions.
• Increased risk of pathogen re-emergence if coverage falls below critical thresholds.

Conclusions:

• The benefits of vaccination in preventing widespread disease are substantial.
• Loss of societal memory regarding disease severity fuels vaccine hesitancy.
• Maintaining high vaccination coverage is crucial to prevent the re-emergence of dangerous infectious diseases.