Monday 10 September 2012

Immunization, Child Health Investment for the Future

IMMUNIZATION not just a preventative measure to prevent transmission of the disease, but also the baby's health investment in the future. Want proof?

Anyone know for sure immunizations. In fact, probably most of us have ever been immunized when we were little.

Immunization is an attempt to induce or enhance the immune active against certain diseases.


Unfortunately, there are still groups of people who still doubt the benefits of immunization to their children. In fact, immunization not only create immunity, but it is also important to break the chain of transmission of the disease in children and the people around him.

In developing countries, including Indonesia, the Preventable Diseases Immunization (PD3I) is still the leading cause of death and disability of children. Approximately five percent of deaths in children under five due to PD3I. Therefore, immunization efforts is essential to reduce the morbidity and mortality.

Be intensified

Immunization in Indonesia was first performed in 1956, beginning with the smallpox immunization. Since then, the scope and types of immunizations continue to be expanded. Today, there are five Immunization vaccines given to infants and children in Indonesia to prevent seven diseases, ie Tuberculosis, Polio, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Measles, and Hepatitis B.

Immunization activities are also more evenly distributed across the region. If 2008 has 68.3 percent of the 65,781 villages that have achieved Universal Child Immunization (UCI), after the acceleration in 2010, coverage reached 75.3 percent of the 75,990 villages.

One concrete example of the success of immunization programs is important, which is freely smallpox. In 1974, Indonesia was officially declared smallpox-free countries. Meanwhile, cases of the disease have also PD3I decline. Measles, for example, from 24,388 cases in 2008, down to 17,139 cases in 2010. Neonatal tetanus were reported 198 cases in 2008, a few years to approximately 137 cases.

For polio, even though there is no more polio cases in recent years, the threat from abroad is still there. Some countries in the world still reported wild polio virus. Because not all villages reached UCI, there is still pockets of villages that could potentially happen Extraordinary Events (KLB).

To anticipate such circumstances, since 2009 has conducted additional immunization campaign in three phases. The first phase conducted in 2009, the second phase in 2010, and the last stage was held in 2011 in 17 provinces in Indonesia with a target coverage of at least 95 percent of all children under five.

This year, Indonesia together the countries in the region committed to making 2012 the Year of Intensification of Routine Immunization or Intensification of Routine Immunization (IRI).

Addressing the issue

Immunization would need the full support of all stakeholders, including the community. Because, until now still found a number of challenges in the provision of immunization, such as parents who are less understanding among some communities, the myth related to immunization, geographic constraints, until the late immunization schedule.

Communities also need to be more careful and cautious in dealing with a variety of information related to immunization, such as address-occurring post-immunization (KIPI) severe.

For example, when a polio outbreak occurred in West Java, some children paralyzed after receiving the polio vaccine. With a virus (virology) proved that the paralysis was caused wild polio virus which has attacked the child before he got polio immunization.

Similarly to the case of other heavy KIPI. Upon inspection experts in the field, it is evident that KIPI other diseases that have been there before, not due to immunization.

To address KIPI case, the public should refer to the information provided by the Committee of the Regions (Komda) KIPI in the province or the National Committee (NC) KIPI in Jakarta. Since the news or reports of suspicion of KIPI always studied scientifically by experts-experts, such as experts in infectious diseases, immunizations, and immunology that is in committee.

Indeed, people do not have any doubt as to the safety and benefits of immunization. Currently, 194 countries around the world believe that immunization is safe and beneficial to prevent outbreaks, severe illness, disability, and death in infants and toddlers.

In fact, countries with a high socioeconomic level and still continue to carry out the immunization program. Including, states Muslim majority, with immunization coverage of more than 85 percent.

Prevention of disease through immunization is a form of protection against infection is most effective and much cheaper than the already ill and had to be hospitalized.

Thus, immunization can be said for the future health investment. Ideally, all infants and toddlers fully immunized. By avoiding children from dangerous infectious diseases, then they have a chance move, play, learn uninterrupted health problems.

1 comment:

  1. These are very substantial information. I hope this will be really helpful to convince parents of the great benefits immunization shots have so that they would make sure that they avail of it for their children. Infographics can also be helpful.

    Oskar Aarden

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