Ensuring long life for all: Greater awareness around timely vaccinations will help save life of millions of Indians

Jaipur, XX April 2022: The last week of April is celebrated as World Immunisation Week every year to raise awareness around the value of vaccines and immunisation across the globe and the need of collective efforts to combat life-threatening diseases that can be prevented through timely vaccines. Vaccines save lives of millions of people every year and have played a pivotal role in changing the global health scenario. In the last two decades, India has made significant progress in improving the health indicators, particularly related to child health and the overall vaccine coverage across age groups has increased drastically. Despite the progress, a large part of Indian population misses out on life-saving vaccines every year. Dr Sanjay Choudhary, Senior Consultant and Head of Pediatrics at Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur sheds light about the newer vaccines recommended for people in different age groups which will help save lives of millions.

Speaking about the theme for World Immunisation Week 2022, Dr Choudhary said, “The theme for this year stresses upon the message ‘Long Life for All’. From birth of an individual, it is the vaccines which help us protect them from numerous life-threatening diseases. Vaccines act as a shield against diseases and helps boost immunity required to fight the dangerous stages of the diseases. There is a common saying, ‘prevention is better than cure’. Medical science has made significant progress in the last two decades and if vaccines are taken on time, I strongly believe that we would be able to bring down mortality and morbidity levels significantly.”

Dr Sanjay Choudhary lists down vaccines everyone should be given according to different age groups and requirements:

• Flu vaccines are recommended for all ages, except for young adults
• DPT (diptheria, tetanus toxoids and pertussis) for children and TdaP is suggested for the young adults, 50 plus people and pregnant women
• HPV vaccine for women to prevent cervical cancer
• Those above 50 years of age should get the Flu, Shingles and PCV (Pneumococcal) vaccines
• Vaccines for pregnant women:
• The women who are planning to conceive should get the MMR vaccine. The best protection against rubella is the MMR, if not received earlier. Make sure you have a pre-pregnancy blood test to see if you are immune to the disease. This vaccine isn’t suggested during pregnancy since it’s a live virus vaccine.
• The women who are expecting should get the Flu and TDAP vaccines, as they protect both the mother and the baby
• Other vaccines suggested for pregnant women are:

1. Hepatitis B: A baby whose mother has hepatitis B, is at a higher risk of becoming infected with the same during delivery. All the expecting mothers should consult regarding the same with their doctor
2. Hepatitis A: For pregnant women who have a history of chronic liver disease, doctors may recommend this vaccine to them

• The newer vaccines: The PCV and Rotavirus vaccines are quite essential for children. Another vaccine which is suggested for younger children, to prevent from brain infection caused by JE (Japanese Encephalitis) virus is the JE vaccine.

About Fortis Healthcare Limited

Fortis Healthcare Limited – an IHH Healthcare Berhad Company – is a leading integrated healthcare services provider in India. It is one of the largest healthcare organizations in the country with 27 healthcare facilities (including projects under development), 4100 operational beds and over 419 diagnostics centres (including JVs). Fortis is present in India, United Arab Emirates (UAE) & Sri Lanka. The Company is listed on the BSE Ltd and National Stock Exchange (NSE) of India. It draws strength from its partnership with global major and parent company, IHH, to build upon its culture of world-class patient care and superlative clinical excellence. Fortis employs 23,000 people (including SRL) who share its vision of becoming the world’s most trusted healthcare network. Fortis offers a full spectrum of integrated healthcare services ranging from clinics to quaternary care facilities and a wide range of ancillary services.