Six Childhood Scourges We’ve Forgotten About, Thanks to Vaccines
Vaccines have been one of the greatest medical advancements in history, eradicating diseases that were once considered childhood scourges. Thanks to the development and widespread use of vaccines, many diseases that plagued children in the past are now a distant memory. Here are six childhood scourges that have been largely forgotten about, all thanks to vaccines.
1. Polio: Polio was once a dreaded disease that paralyzed thousands of children every year. Thanks to the development of the polio vaccine in the 1950s, the disease has been nearly eradicated worldwide. Today, polio is only endemic in a few countries, and efforts are ongoing to completely eliminate it.
2. Measles: Measles was once a common childhood illness that caused high fever, rash, and in some cases, severe complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis. The measles vaccine, introduced in the 1960s, has greatly reduced the number of measles cases and deaths. However, recent outbreaks in some communities serve as a reminder of the importance of vaccination.
3. Rubella: Rubella, also known as German measles, was once a major cause of birth defects in babies born to mothers who were infected during pregnancy. The rubella vaccine, introduced in the 1960s, has virtually eliminated the disease in many countries. This has led to a significant reduction in the number of infants born with congenital rubella syndrome.
4. Whooping cough: Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can be deadly, especially in young infants. The introduction of the pertussis vaccine in the 1940s has greatly reduced the number of cases and deaths from the disease. However, outbreaks still occur in communities with low vaccination rates.
5. Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib): Hib was a leading cause of bacterial meningitis and other serious infections in young children before the introduction of the Hib vaccine in the 1980s. The vaccine has drastically reduced the incidence of Hib disease, making it a rare occurrence in most countries.
6. Mumps: Mumps is a viral illness that causes swelling of the salivary glands and can lead to complications such as deafness and infertility. The mumps vaccine, introduced in the 1960s, has significantly reduced the number of cases and complications from the disease. However, outbreaks still occur in communities with low vaccination rates.
While these childhood scourges may seem like a thing of the past, it’s important to remember that vaccines are not 100% effective and outbreaks can still occur in unvaccinated populations. It is crucial for parents to ensure that their children are up-to-date on their vaccinations to protect them from these preventable diseases. Vaccines have been instrumental in saving countless lives and preventing unnecessary suffering, and we must continue to prioritize vaccination efforts to ensure that these childhood scourges remain a thing of the past.