Letter to the Editor: Improving childhood vaccination: roadblocks and hurdles

Madam, immunization, when administered according to specified recommendations in an age-appropriate setting, helps save millions of lives from the scourge of death and disease. The maxim that prevention is better than cure holds true hitherto and vaccination is perhaps one of the most pivotal tools in the paraphernalia for preventing disease in childhood. Vaccination, as a preventive stratagem, is sine qua none for reducing childhood mortality in developing countries. Many of these regions are still struggling to cope with the burden of infectious diseases, which account for at least two thirds of childhood mortality. Although additional areas such as sanitation, supply of safe water, nutrition1 and maternal health need to be adequately addressed in future public health policies, vaccination nevertheless remains a cost-effective strategy that deserves immediate attention of the health care and allied systems.