National Vaccination Day 2023: Diseases For Which No Vaccines Are Currently Available

Wednesday, March 15, 2023, 20:30

In recognition of and appreciation of the hard work of frontline healthcare workers to ensure vaccination of every child on 16 March, the Indian government observes National Vaccination Day.

As a result of intensified vaccination drives, India has made remarkable progress towards the elimination of measles and rubella.

National Vaccination Day 2023 theme is "Vaccines Work For Everyone". The primary goal of National Vaccination Day is to raise awareness about the benefits of vaccination.

On the occasion of national vaccination week, let us take a look at diseases for which there is still no vaccine.

Importance of Vaccination

National Vaccine Day is held annually to highlight the importance of vaccines and the role they play in improving public health. This day is also known as National Immunization Day [1].

A vaccine is one of the most significant medical advancements in the world. It is much safer for your immune system to learn how to create antibodies that are necessary to protect you from diseases through vaccination rather than by catching the diseases and treating them.

Once your immune system has learned how to fight a disease, it is often able to protect you for many years to come.

Here is a list of diseases for which there is still no vaccine available.

Diseases For Which No Vaccines Are Currently Available

Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)
Chikungunya
Dengue
Cytomegalovirus
HIV/AIDS
Hookworm infection
Leishmaniasis
Malaria
Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Schistosomiasis

In this list, six are classified as neglected tropical diseases, or "NTDs," which are disproportionately prevalent in resource-constrained countries. The majority of these diseases occur in India [2].

As a major public health problem, malaria continues to plague India. It accounts for 2% of global malaria cases, 2% of global malaria deaths (52% of all malaria deaths outside of sub-Saharan Africa), and 85.2% of the total malaria burden in South East Asia [3].

According to the recently released report, HIV prevalence among adults (15-49 years of age) has been declining in India since the epidemic's peak in 2000 and has been stabilizing in recent years [4].

India experienced outbreaks of Chikungunya between 1963 and 1973 and 2005 to 2019 [5].

In India, the first epidemic of clinical dengue-like illness was recorded in Madras (now Chennai) in 1780, and the first virologically proven outbreak of dengue fever (DF) occurred in Calcutta (now Kolkata) and the Eastern Coast of India in 1963-1964. A second outbreak occurred in 2006 [6].

Why Don't Some Diseases Have Vaccines?

Most vaccines work by creating antibodies, which are Y-shaped proteins that block the disease agent's own proteins. In contrast to viruses, bacteria have up to 6,000 target proteins, whereas parasites have even more [7].

There are also some small viruses, such as the H.I.V., flu, and hepatitis C that mutate so rapidly that their surfaces change shape before antibodies can attach, which reduces the potential impact of a possible vaccine.

On A Final Note...

Despite efforts to raise awareness about the importance of vaccines, many citizens continue to turn a blind eye or do not believe that they are effective.

In spite of this, experts have repeatedly highlighted the importance of vaccinations and have advised that everyone should receive mandatory vaccinations as soon as possible with the assistance of a professional medical professional.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.