Immunization prevents what diseases? here is the list

Many people think that immunizations are only for babies and children. In fact, even adults still need to get regular immunizations to prevent certain types of diseases. So, what diseases can be prevented?

What is immunization?

Immunization is a way to strengthen the immune system to fight certain types of infectious diseases. Immunization is achieved by periodically injecting the vaccine, although also by dripping it into the mouth (swallowed).

Vaccines are substances made from germs (viruses or bacteria) that have been tamed. When it enters the body, these benign germs will not cause disease but will instead train the immune response to recognize and remember them as potential threats.

At the same time, vaccination will encourage the immune system to form special antibodies. These new antibodies are designed to work specifically against the attack of these diseases and prevent their development if germs are active in the future.

Well, then the immunization process occurs so that the immune system and antibodies that have been formed are stronger so that they are immune to disease attacks. With regular routine vaccinations, you will protect yourself and others from the threat of infectious diseases in the future.

Immunization prevents disease outbreaks

Not being immunized will make you more susceptible to contracting the disease and experience more severe symptoms. Infections that eat away at your body may also be more difficult to treat and therefore have a greater risk of developing dangerous complications.

On the other hand, the infection will also be more easily spread to the people around it because the germs that cause it are not handled optimally from inside. Especially if the people around you have not or have never received immunizations and their immune systems are weak. In the end, the spread of disease will increasingly spread to the surrounding environment.

This is the beginning of disease outbreaks, leading to more cases of disease outbreaks and deaths. This risk cannot be underestimated.

Take the case of the polio epidemic that attacked almost all parts of the world in the 1940s to 1950s. The polio epidemic began in mainland Europe in the early 1900's, and soon after it spread to the United States. The record records polio infection affecting 42,173 people and claiming 2,720 lives in the United States.

Mandatory immunization program in Indonesia

After seeing the risks and dangers, WHO then took the initiative to promote the global immunization program around the 1970s through a mission Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI).

EPI is considered to be one of the most successful public health programs to date. In 1990, the global coverage for the DPT (diphtheria pertussis tetanus) vaccination program reached 88% and increased to 91% in 2012. Thanks to the global immunization program as well, polio was 99% eradicated in 1988.

In line with the WHO program, the Indonesian Ministry of Health began promoting national immunization since 1956. This national immunization program is divided into complete basic immunization (compulsory) and additional immunization (optional). Through immunization efforts, Indonesia was named a polio-free country by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1995.

Diseases that can be prevented by immunization

However, sadly, several infectious diseases are again threatening the world due to the decline in immunization coverage since the last few years. Launching UNICEF, more than 1.5 million children die every year from diseases that can be prevented by vaccination.

The WHO report states that polio outbreaks have resumed in Indonesia since 2005, and in several other high-risk countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nigeria and Papua New Guinea.

In fact, the global immunization program is estimated to save 2-3 million lives each year. What diseases can be prevented by immunization?

1. Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a contagious viral infection that attacks the liver (liver) and can cause liver cancer and cirrhosis.

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is transmitted from one person to another through blood, semen, or other body fluids that are contaminated with the virus. People who have a weak immune system are at high risk of contracting this disease. Launching a media release from the Ministry of Health in 2017, every year it is estimated that there are 150 thousand babies, 95% of which have the potential to experience chronic hepatitis (cirrhosis or liver cancer) in the next 30 years.

Hepatitis B infection can be prevented with the HB vaccine which is given 3 times. First, in less than 24 hours after birth. The next dose of vaccine is given when the baby is 1 month old, and again at around 3-6 months of age. Through the immunization program, the Ministry of Health is targeting the elimination of hepatitis B by 2020.

2. TB (tuberculosis)

TB is a bacterial infection that attacks the lungs. Based on WHO data in 2015, Indonesia ranks second as the country with the most TB cases in the world after India. The trend in the number of TB sufferers in Indonesia is estimated to always increase by around a quarter of a million lives per year.

TB has even become the number one cause of death infection in Indonesia in the category of infectious diseases. Approximately 140,000 deaths from tuberculosis occur each year. The Indonesian Ministry of Health reports that every 1 hour there are 8 cases of death due to tuberculosis.

Well, one way to prevent TB disease is to provide BCG immunization. The BCG vaccination is given only once to children under two months of age. If the baby is more than three months old, the tuberculin test should be tested first. If the tuberculin result is negative, then BCG may be given.

3. Polio

Polio is a contagious disease caused by a virus in the digestive tract and throat. Polio is generally asymptomatic. Only one in 200 infected people usually shows symptoms of illness. In Indonesia, this disease is called wilted paralysis.

After being declared a polio-free country, WHO found 45 new polio cases in Indonesia in March 2005. Although since then no new polio cases have been found, Indonesia is still at risk. Therefore, don't let your guard down.

The way to prevent polio is to get the polio vaccine at the latest at the age of under five years. This vaccine is given 4 times before the baby is 6 months old. This vaccine is given at birth, then at two months, four months, and six months.

If you have completed four doses of polio vaccine as a child, it is recommended that you have the polio booster vaccine as a booster once.

4. Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough

How to prevent diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough can be done with DPT vaccination. This vaccination is given five times, starting from the age of two months to six years. A child will be injected at the age of two months, four months, six months, between 18-24 months and lastly five years.

If you have never received this type of vaccination as a child, it is recommended that you do the Tdap vaccination, which is an advanced TDP vaccine intended for adults. The Tdap vaccine is only given once in a lifetime, but it is recommended to provide a booster vaccine every 10 years.

5. Measles

Measles is a contagious infectious disease caused by a virus. Often this disease occurs in children, but you reduce the chances of getting this disease by taking the measles vaccine.

This vaccine is first given to babies aged 9 months. After that, it was continued with the second time at the age of 18 months and the third at the age of 6-7 years or when the new child entered school. The second measles vaccine does not need to be given if the child has received the MMR vaccine.

Completing mandatory immunization can prevent the seven diseases above. But beyond that, you can get additional immunizations that are tailored to your needs. The immunization options include vaccinations to prevent the following diseases:

• Pneumonia and meningitis caused by pneumococci
• Diarrhea caused by rotavirus
• Influenza
• Chicken pox (varicella)
• Mumps (mumps)
• German measles (rubella)
• Typhoid fever
• Hepatitis A
• Cervical cancer caused by the HPV virus
• Japanese Enchephalitis
• Shingles
• Dengue fever

With immunization, you not only protect yourself from disease but also help prevent it from spreading.

It's easy. It is enough to come to a health service center that is under the auspices of the government, for example a regional hospital, posyandu, and puskesmas. Immunization programs to prevent infectious diseases are provided free of charge, aka free.