Encephalitis affects 1.5 million children and adults every year globally – three people every minute, yet almost 77 per cent of the population are unaware of the condition. The lack of awareness leads to delay in diagnosis and treatment, and poorer patient outcomes. With climate change increasing the risk of infectious diseases, the importance of timely immunisation is crucial
This World Immunisation Week, Encephalitis International launches a global campaign, “Preventing Future Encephalitis: Climate Change and Infectious Disease,” to promote the power of immunisation against vaccine-preventable diseases including the rising threat of encephalitis. The campaign emphasises the urgent need for increased awareness of how climate change is exacerbating the risk of encephalitis in India and globally.
Vaccines are one of humanity’s greatest achievements, saving 154 million lives globally since 1974. Immunisation averts millions of deaths annually from diseases such as measles, polio, tetanus, hepatitis B, and diphtheria. Beyond preventing disease, immunisation also yields significant economic benefits by reducing healthcare costs associated with treatment and hospitalisation, and by fostering healthier, more productive populations.
However, outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, including measles, meningitis, and encephalitis, are increasing globally. Diseases like diphtheria, once well-controlled, are also at risk of re-emerging. Global health organisations, including the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF, are calling for people to get vaccinated, sustained political attention and investment to strengthen immunisation programs and protect the progress made over the past 50 years.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, WHO said, “Vaccines have saved more than 150 million lives over the past five decades. Outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases are increasing around the world, putting lives at risk and exposing countries to increased costs in treating diseases and responding to outbreaks. Countries with limited resources must invest in the highest-impact interventions – and that includes vaccines.”
Dr Ava Easton, Chief Executive of Encephalitis International, said, “It is vital that people seek advice about vaccines and other routine immunisations, for themselves and those they care for. As the earth warms, new and emerging infections, including those that cause Encephalitis, will continue to rise. The vectors that can spread infectious diseases like mosquitoes and ticks are moving to new communities and environments. The situation is complicated as we begin to live in closer proximity to animals, and our more rural areas decrease. All these factors affect public health, sometimes dramatically.”
Dr Netravathi M, Professor, Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, said, “Immunisation is not just a personal choice – It’s a public responsibility that protects generations. Vaccines are a gift of science that protect us today and promise a healthier tomorrow. A vaccinated world is a safer world – each shot is a step towards freedom from preventable diseases. Through every drop of Vaccine, we build a wall against disease and a bridge for a brighter future.”
