Benefits and risks of childhood immunisations in developing countries

Abstract

The ratio of benefit to harm from an imaginary, modest immunisation programme in a developing country and the numbers of lives likely to be saved and severe handicaps prevented have been estimated. Immunisation is much more likely to benefit children than to harm them, and health workers can be confidently encouraged not to withhold the benefits of immunisation from most children.

PIP: The ratio of benefit to harm an imaginary, modest immunization program in a developing country and the numbers of lives likely to be saved and severe handicaps prevented are estimated. Immunization is much more likely to benefit children than to harm them, and health workers can be confidently encouraged not to withhold the benefits of immunization from most children. The UN target date for immunization to be available to all the world's children is 1990. Benefits and risks of a typical program in a developing country are calculated for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, and measles. Such a program could be expected to save about 45 lives a month and prevent about 12 children being left with a serious handicap each month. In contrast it may cause 1 death over 22 years and 1 serious handicap every 7 1/2 years.