PRIORITIES FOR ACTION - IMMUNISATION

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Immunisation is our most powerful weapon against disabling disease.

The eradication of Smallpox ranks as one of the great achievements of the 20th century. Following the development of an effective vaccine in 1955, Polio could also be banished. Tragically, mankind has so far failed to share vaccine technology completely, and children in the developing world are still disabled by preventable diseases for lack of this simple protection.

One of the main challenges is delivering the vaccines, especially to vulnerable children in the urban slums of rapidly growing cities and to remote rural areas of developing countries. In India, which is one of a handful of countries that remain Polio-endemic, our partners have designed a computerised system to help health workers track the immunisation status of each child which allows better targeting of limited resources.

The promotion of immunisation is always a key factor in IMPACT projects in every country, since prevention is better - and more cost-effective - than cure. We collaborate with Governments and other NGOs in National Immunisation Days and together with our long-standing partner, the PNR Society, are working to create a 'polio-free zone' in Bhavnagar, India. The 'magic of immunisation' is publicised with street plays, puppet shows and posters. In one area of Nepal where IMPACT works, 98% of children have been immunised and also given vitamin A supplements to protect their eyesight.

Young women are also being protected against Rubella (German Measles) which, if contracted during pregnancy, can cause deafness, blindness, mental retardation and heart defects in the unborn child. Millions of children around the world are disabled as a result of this disease, all quite unnecessarily.

The problem is huge since if a woman becomes infected by the Rubella virus in the early stages of pregnancy, she has a 90% chance of passing it on to her child. The only way to stop transference of the disease is immunisation but sadly, many women do not even know that a vaccine is available. IMPACT is working hard to change this and healthworkers are so committed to stamping out this disease that they consistently smash their immunisation targets.

The Individual IMPACT

18-year old Sangita was paralysed by Polio in early childhood. After surgery and physiotherapy within IMPACT’s programme, she can now walk upright with assistance and came for new crutches before her wedding day. She is determined that her future children will be fully immunised. Without treatment, it is unlikely that Sangita would have married at all making her future very insecure.

£10 would immunise 10 more children against polio or 10 women against Rubella