By Tchoro Abbe
Alumnus, MPH and MHA
and Dr. Carol Hoban
Faculty Member, Health Sciences
According to a Frontiers in Public Health article, immunization dates to at least the 15th century, when people began seeking ways to protect themselves from deadly diseases. One of the earliest methods, known as variolation, involved exposing healthy individuals to smallpox to build their immunity.
Over time, immunization methods and vaccines have improved. Today, researchers have developed dozens of vaccines. These vaccines have increased life expectancy by reducing the mortality that often accompanies complications from vaccine-preventable diseases such as influenza.
Today, vaccines play a vital role in human health by protecting against deadly viruses and germs that can cause serious harm, especially to the most vulnerable populations, such as:
- Infants and children
- Elderly adults
Vaccines have become an essential part of medical treatment and are considered among the most effective tools in public health. Immunization through vaccines remains one of the most effective ways to prevent diseases around the world.
The Difference Between Immunization and Vaccination
Immunization and vaccination are often used interchangeably; however, they are two different concepts. Vaccination refers to the physical act of administering an injection – the treatment someone receives to develop immunity.
Vaccines may be administered to a patient through injection or inhalation. Immunization, on the other hand, is the process of developing immunity that protects people from disease.
The Epidemiological Context of Vaccines
Frontiers in Public Health also notes that Dr. Edward Jenner, an English physician, developed the first successful vaccine in 1796. He observed that people infected with cowpox were immune to smallpox, which led to the development of the vaccine. In May 1796, Dr. Jenner tested his vaccine on 8-year-old James Phillips, making him the first person to be vaccinated against smallpox.
Progress in public health has led to the eradication of many diseases, including smallpox and wild poliovirus Types 2 and 3. Unfortunately, several other preventable diseases have made a return to our society via unvaccinated individuals. These diseases include:
- Diphtheria
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella
- Pertussis (whooping cough)
Thanks to vaccines, infectious diseases that once caused most deaths worldwide have been significantly reduced. Despite significant progress, there is still room for improvement.
Herd Immunity and How It Affects Immunization
The human body can produce antibodies to protect itself from disease through natural or acquired immunity. Herd immunity occurs in a community when enough people have immunity to a germ or virus, slowing its spread.
For herd immunity to develop, a large number of the population must be immune to a disease as the result of vaccinations. Herd immunity can stop a disease from spreading, leading to its eradication.
Importantly, herd immunity helps to protect people who cannot develop a natural immunity through vaccination or infection. Although herd immunity has many benefits, it can be temporary.
Individual Benefits of Vaccines
The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that vaccines protect against many different diseases, including:
- Cholera
- Cervical cancer
- COVID-19
- Dengue
- Diphtheria
- Ebola
- Hepatitis B
- Influenza
- Japanese encephalitis
- Malaria
- Measles
- Meningitis
- Mpox
- Mumps
- Pertussis
- Pneumonia
- Polio
- Rabies
- Rotavirus
- Rubella
- Tetanus
- Typhoid
- Varicella
- Yellow fever
Vaccines are particularly useful for very young children. For instance, a baby’s immune system is not usually fully developed at birth, which puts a baby at a greater risk of infection and serious illnesses. Vaccination protects babies by helping them strengthen their natural defenses against germs.
Population-Level Benefits of Vaccinations
The clinical benefits of vaccination include a significant reduction in mortality from preventable diseases. Vulnerable populations such as women, children and individuals at risk for comorbidities benefit greatly from vaccines.
In many cases, vaccinations act as a survival tool for these vulnerable groups. By preventing disease, vaccinations reduce the economic burden of lost workdays, absenteeism and disability claims.
A healthy population is also the foundation of a strong economy. By keeping a population healthy through vaccinations, a country can boost its economy and improve workforce productivity.
Vaccination and Immunization as Investments
Due to the expenses related to vaccinations – such as dose procurement, administration and organizational logistics – vaccination may seem like a cost. However, vaccines are a strategic investment.
While the cost of a vaccine program can seem high, it is cheaper than the cost of drugs. According to Italian health researcher Sara Boccalini, many countries have doubled their public spending on vaccines. Given the potential burden of disease, this cost is justified.
Immunizations offer a great return on investment, considering the significant decrease in disease it achieves. Boccalini notes that at an international level, adult vaccination programs can generate socioeconomic returns of up to 19 times their original cost when the full set of benefits to individuals, healthcare systems, and society is considered.
Boccalini also observes that the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted the global economy. The pandemic and the development of vaccines demonstrated the significant contribution of vaccines to societal well-being.
Are Vaccines Safe?
Vaccines often spark public debate about their safety. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people hesitated to get vaccinated, and some didn’t trust the COVID-19 vaccine due to the speed of its development. The COVID-19 vaccine was new and raised concerns on the clinical testing and efficacy of the vaccine.
However, the development and rollout of a new vaccine is a careful, well-regulated process. Before releasing a new vaccine, extensive lab testing is conducted to ensure its safety.
Once a vaccine is developed, it must undergo testing. It is only licensed after successful testing.
This process can take years to complete, and even after that, federal agencies perform routine monitoring and investigations to address any safety concerns that may arise. These agencies include:
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- The National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Safe vaccines are the CDC’s top priority, especially for children.
More People Need to Be Educated about Vaccines
Vaccines are one of the most significant scientific advances the world has made, and their development has extended human life expectancy. It is essential to educate people about the importance of vaccination and the benefits it can have, not only for individuals but also for populations in general.
About the Authors
Tchoro Abbe, MPH, MHA, is a Senior Noncommissioned Officer in the United States Army with over 10 years of experience in Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) operations and force health protection. He has earned a master of healthcare administration and a master of public health from American Military University.
Tchoro’s professional experience includes operational leadership, risk assessment, and the application of preventive and environmental health principles in complex, high-reliability environments, with a focus on force health protection and organizational readiness. He earned a Certified in Public Health (CPH) certification and is also a project management professional with academic interests in immunization programs, vaccine-preventable diseases, healthcare operations, quality improvement, and data-driven approaches to enhancing population health outcomes.
Dr. Carol Hoban is a faculty member in the School of Health Sciences at the University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Emory University, a master of public health degree from Emory University, and a Ph.D. in cellular molecular biology and physiology from Georgia State University.
Dr. Hoban has worked in maternal and child health and vaccine-preventable diseases. She was the project director for the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) in Georgia for over six years and was also the project director for the Georgia Immunization Study for over seven years. Dr. Hoban has numerous published articles based on her work in both vaccine-preventable diseases and maternal and child health. She is also currently a peer reviewer for the Maternal and Child Health Journal.
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