Emergency Vaccinations Reduce Outbreak Deaths by Nearly 60%, Study Reveals

Emergency vaccination responses to outbreaks have cut disease-related deaths by nearly 60% between 2000 and 2023, data suggests. They have also generated at least US$ 32 billion in economic benefits for affected countries by averting deaths and years of productivity lost to disability.

Outbreak response immunisation programmes are effective in reducing the health and economic impacts of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. Outbreaks of diseases like measles, yellow fever, cholera, and meningitis are a persistent threat in many low- and middle-income countries, straining fragile health systems.

Rapid-response vaccination campaigns, known as outbreak response immunisation programmes, provide a vital defense when these crises strike. Since 2000, emergency vaccination responses have averted 5.81 million infections, 327,000 deaths, and 14.6 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs).

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, funds global stockpiles of cholera, Ebola, meningitis, and yellow fever vaccines for outbreak responses. Despite their importance, little was known about the real-world impact of these programmes until a recent study.

The study used computer simulations to estimate the effectiveness of emergency vaccination campaigns in stopping outbreaks of key diseases in low- and middle-income countries. It found significant reductions in cases and deaths for diseases like Ebola and yellow fever.

Since 2000, emergency vaccination responses have averted millions of infections, deaths, and DALYs. The study also highlighted the economic benefits of these efforts, bringing nearly US$ 32 billion in economic benefits by preventing deaths and long-term illness.

This study underscores the power of vaccines as a cost-effective countermeasure against outbreaks and emphasizes the importance of fully funding Gavi to protect communities in the future.

According to the source: Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.