What is Immunization?
Immunization is the process whereby a person is made immune or resistant to an infectious disease, typically by the administration of a vaccine. Vaccines stimulate the body's own immune system to protect the person against subsequent infection or disease.
Key Facts
Immunization prevents illness, disability and death from vaccine-preventable diseases including cervical cancer, diphtheria, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, pertussis (whooping cough), pneumonia, polio, rotavirus diarrhoea, rubella and tetanus.
Global vaccination coverage is generally holding steady. Uptake of new and underused vaccines is increasing. Immunization currently averts an estimated 2 to 3 million deaths every year. An estimated 18.7 million infants worldwide are still missing out on basic vaccines.Enlighten Yourself!
More info about common infections, causative factors, and immunization…
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) causes meningitis and pneumonia. Hib vaccine had been introduced in 192 countries by the end of 2014. Global coverage with 3 doses of Hib vaccine is estimated at 56%. There is great variation between regions. In the Americas, coverage is estimated at 90%, while it is only 21% and 30% in the Western Pacific and South-East Asia Regions respectively. Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver. Hepatitis B vaccine for infants had been introduced nationwide in 184 countries by the end of 2014. Global coverage with 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine is estimated at 82% and is as high as 92% in the Western Pacific. Human papillomavirus is the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract—can cause cervical cancer, and other types of cancer and genital warts in both men and women. Human papillomavirus vaccine was introduced in 63 countries by the end of 2014. Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus, which usually results in a high fever and rash, and can lead to blindness, encephalitis or death. By the end of 2014, 85% of children had received 1 dose of measles vaccine by their second birthday, and 154 countries had included a second dose as part of routine immunization. Mumps is a highly contagious virus that causes painful swelling at the side of the face under the ears (the parotid glands), fever, headache and muscle aches. It can lead to viral meningitis. Mumps vaccine had been introduced nationwide in 121 countries by the end of 2015. Pneumococcal diseases include pneumonia, meningitis and febrile bacteraemia, as well as otitis media, sinusitis and bronchitis. Pneumococcal vaccine had been introduced in 117 countries by the end of 2014, and global coverage was estimated at 31%. Polio is a highly infectious viral disease that can cause irreversible paralysis. In 2014, 86% of infants around the world received 3 doses of polio vaccine. Targeted for global eradication, polio has been stopped in all countries save 3—Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan. Polio-free countries have been infected by imported virus, and all countries—especially those experiencing conflict and instability—remain at risk until polio is fully eradicated. Rotaviruses are the most common cause of severe diarrhea disease in young children throughout the world. Rotavirus vaccine was introduced in 74 countries by the end of 2014, and global coverage was estimated at 19%. Rubella is a viral disease which is usually mild in children, but infection during early pregnancy may cause fetal death or congenital rubella syndrome, which can lead to defects of the brain, heart, eyes and ears. Rubella vaccine was introduced nationwide in 140 countries by the end of 2014. Tetanus is caused by a bacterium which grows in the absence of oxygen, e.g. in dirty wounds or in the umbilical cord if it is not kept clean. It produces a toxin which can cause serious complications or death. The vaccine to prevent maternal and neonatal tetanus had been introduced in 103 countries by the end of 2014. An estimated 83% of newborns were protected through immunization. Maternal and neonatal tetanus persist as public health problems in 24 countries, mainly in Africa and Asia. Yellow fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. As of 2014, yellow fever vaccine had been introduced in routine infant immunization programmers in 35 of the 44 countries and territories at risk for yellow fever in Africa and the Americas.Does my Insurance Policy cover Immunization?
Yes. According to CCHI unified Policy terms and conditions, health insurance policies in Saudi Arabia should cover preventive procedures such as vaccinations including seasonal vaccination, mother care and childcare including the schedule of basic vaccinations issued by tand in accordance with instructions of the Ministry of Health.
Please Click Here to access the Unified CCHI Policy Wordings.Please Click Here to access the Vaccination Schedule issues by the Ministry Of Health.
References:
"Immunization." Health Topics. N.p., July 2016. Web. Aug. 2016."Immunization” Rules. N.p., n.d. Web. Aug. 2016.