A recent study has found that emergency vaccination programs have reduced deaths by around 60% over a period of 23 years. The study, which examined the impact of vaccine roll-outs for five major infectious diseases, including Ebola, measles, cholera, yellow fever, and meningitis, also suggests that a similar number of infections were prevented. Researchers believe that vaccinations stopped much bigger outbreaks of these illnesses, and the swift deployment of vaccines appears to have halted wider outbreaks.
The study analyzed 210 different incidents from 2000 to 2023, covering 49 different countries. According to the researchers, the vaccine roll-outs seem to have had an impressive impact, reducing deaths by nearly 60%. The number of overall cases of these infections was also reduced by nearly 60%. The economic benefits of vaccination programs are significant, with an estimated $32 billion saved due to averting deaths and years of life lost to disability.
Dr. Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the vaccine alliance, which was responsible for many of the programs, said that the study shows just how important quick and effective vaccine roll-outs can be. “For the first time, we are able to comprehensively quantify the benefit, in human and economic terms, of deploying vaccines against outbreaks of some of the deadliest infectious diseases,” she said. “This study demonstrates clearly the power of vaccines as a cost-effective counter-measure to the increasing risk the world faces from outbreaks.”
The study highlights the significant economic benefits of vaccination programs. According to researchers, the 2014 Ebola outbreak, which occurred before the existence of an approved vaccine, is estimated to have cost West African countries alone more than $53 billion.
The economic benefits of vaccination programs are substantial, and researchers believe that this could be a significant underestimate of overall savings, as it doesn’t take into account the costs of dealing with a wider outbreak or the economic disruption caused by a more serious health emergency.
Gavi is currently trying to secure a fresh round of funding in the face of global cuts to foreign aid. Dr. Nishtar emphasized the importance of fully funding Gavi, saying that it is crucial for the organization to continue protecting communities in the next five years to come. “It also underscores the importance of fully funding Gavi, so it can continue to protect communities in the next five years to come,” she said.