How effective are immunizations?
Immunizations are largely a 20th-century development. Since coming into widespread use, immunizations have saved billions of lives around the world. They have enhanced the quality of life, eliminated a huge burden of suffering and disability, and contributed to the length of life. The charts below show the impact of immunizations in the United States in reducing the number of cases of, or deaths from, vaccine-preventable diseases, based on 1996 provisional data from the National Immunization Program. Chart 1. Reported cases* of H. influenzae type b, United States, 1991 – 1997** Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine reduced Hib cases by 98.62%. * Cases not notifiable nationally prior to 1991 **1997 provisional data The burden of suffering caused by Hib disease includes coma, seizures, paralysis, temporary or permanent brain damage, developmental delays, speech and language disorders, deafness, inner ear inflammation, sinus infection, brain abscess, conjunctivitis, bronchitis, pneu
