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5.5 process, analyse and present information from secondary sources to evaluate the effectiveness of vaccination programs in preventing the spread and occurrence of once common diseases, including small pox, diphtheria and polio

process, analyse and present information from secondary sources to evaluate the effectiveness of vaccination programs in preventing the spread and occurrence of once common diseases, including small pox, diphtheria and polio

Background

Vaccination gives artificially acquired immunity from a disease. Once common diseases, such as small pox, diphtheria and polio, are now uncommon because of successful vaccination programs. Smallpox was the first disease for which a vaccine was developed. Edward Jenner did this in 1796. The vaccination program that was started in the 1960s was so successful that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared it eradicated. Diphtheria vaccine is given as part of a triple antigen injection that protects against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough. In 1990, WHO stated that 80% of children had been vaccinated against this disease. There continues to be outbreaks of this disease and continued vaccination is recommended. It is no longer thought of as a major child killer. Polio caused thousands of children to become paralysed every year. A vaccine was introduced in 1955. It became available as an oral vaccine in the 1960s. Worldwide, the number of cases is down by 80%.