By Mahmud Shuaibu
Immunisation is a process by which a person becomes protected against a disease through vaccinations. This term is often used interchangeable with vaccination or innoculation.
Although immunisation began in Nigeria in 1956 when smallpox was severe nationwide, the national immunisation tagged expended programme on immunisation started in 1979 to combat deadly childhood disease, which were regarded as the cause of high infant morbidly and mortality in Nigeria.
Everyone needs immunisation; it is recommended for infants, children, teenagers, and adults.
About 95 per cent of the estimated 14 million deaths of children below 5 years of age worldwide in developing countries, approximately 70 per cent of these deaths are due to vaccine preventable diseases.
Importance of immunisation
Modern vaccines and oral drops have protected from a wide variety of dangerous and fatal diseases. Infact, some historically prevalent diseases have now been eradicated from various countries owing to successful immunisation campaigns.
Immunisation protects us throughout life and different ages, from childhood, through adolescence to old ages. Without immunisation we are at the risk of serious illness and disability from diseases like: measles, meningitis, pneumonia, tetanus, Ebola, and polio etc. Our body has an immune system which fights microbial infections. When this system first sees an infectious microbe, it kills it.
Immunisation is an important part of our family and public health. It prevents the spread of contagious, dangerous, and deadly diseases. Immunisation is one of the most successful public health interventions in reducing the spread of diseases.
Types of immunisations
. Inactive immunisation
. Live – attenuated immunisation
.Messenger RNA (mRNA) immunisation
. Conjugate immunisation
. Toxoid immunisation
. Viral vector immunisation.
On 14th November, 2022, the medical workers had visited my school for the purpose of yellow fever vaccines. Students quickly told their classmates and course mates; the message was rapidly heard by everyone in my college, with many students running away from their classes because they were afraid of the vaccines. Alhaji Safiyanu Na – abba quickly entered the college classes to inform them of the importance of the yellow fever and he said through immunisation, many diseases like polio, cholera etc. could be prevented in Nigeria.
Students had peace of mind, stayed and accepted the vaccinations.
At the end I would like to remember all Nigerians that immunisation is very important in human life because through it, we end many diseases.
Therefore, Immunisation is better than medicines.
Mahmud Shuaibu is of Rumfa College, Kano.
