New technological perspectives for improving the population access to information on vaccination and immunization

Abstract

Since ancient times, there have been attempts to prevent high-mortality contagious diseases, but not even antibiotics had such an impact on mortality reduction as vaccines had. Immunization is one of the most successful interventions on the health of the population worldwide, and one of the most effective ways to save lives and prevent infectious diseases. Due to the extensive World Immunization Program launched by the World Health Organization in 1974, which began with vaccination against six diseases (tuberculosis, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and measles), there have been prevented millions of deaths and disabilities. As a result of the concentrated and corroborated efforts of world health organizations, competent national institutions, rigorous scientific research, and of the awareness-raising programs to disseminate the benefits of immunization to the population, the global vaccination rates have significantly raised. Technology and medicine develop substantially every day, new treatments, new investigative methods, new appliances, gadgets and applications appear every day, this being basically the future of a normal life. In this era of technology, we are more receptive to information received or read on the phone than in books or brochures, we keep track of appointments and events on the phone, and we no longer use agendas. Thus, the existence of mobile applications designed to facilitate people’s access to information on vaccines and vaccination steps and, more importantly, the personal management of immunization, is absolutely beneficial.