How Many Lives Has the DPT Vaccine Saved?

Diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus have been big killers for a long time, so it should be no surprise that the DPT vaccine has saved a lot of lives.

How Many Lives Has the DPT Vaccine Saved?

How many lives?

Before we get to that, remember that DPT vaccines protect us against diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus infections.

That routine use of the DPT vaccine has helped control or eliminate diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, and neonatal tetanus in many parts of the world is easy to see.

Even with good hygiene and sanitation, a lot of people died with these diseases just before the DPT vaccine was introduced.

Just look at how quickly cases and dropped with the introduction of the DPT vaccine in 1948!

In the United States alone, the DPT vaccine prevents at least 1,800 deaths each year.

“Vaccination has accounted for close to half the total global reduction in infant mortality, and in some regions to the majority of these gains. As a result of 50 years of vaccination, a child born today has a 40% increase in survival for each year of infancy and childhood.”
Contribution of vaccination to improved survival and health: modelling 50 years of the Expanded Programme on Immunization

Worldwide, the DPT vaccines, since 1974, have prevented just over 41 million deaths!

Yes, that’s right!

The DPT vaccine saves the lives over one million people, mostly children, each and every year.

“Reported neonatal tetanus cases worldwide decreased by 88%, from 17,935 (2000) to 2,229 (2020), and estimated deaths decreased by 92%, from 170,829 (2000) to 14,230 (2019).”
Progress Toward Achieving and Sustaining Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination — Worldwide, 2000–2020

And with Td and Tdap boosters, these vaccines have also helped prevent babies dying with neonatal tetanus.

“It’s often said that vaccines save lives, but this is not strictly true; it is vaccination that saves lives. A vaccine that remains in the vial is 0% effective even if it is the best vaccine in the world. Thus, it is imperative that we all work together to assure that a high level of coverage is obtained among populations for whom vaccines are recommended.”
Simply put: Vaccination saves lives

They are also safe, with few risks.

So let’s continue to get everyone vaccinated and protected and work to prevent cases and deaths from diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus.

Why are babies dying with pertussis in UK? “Vaccine uptake levels in pregnant women, babies and young children have fallen in recent years across England. Maternal vaccine uptake fell from 74.7% in December 2017 to 58.9% in March 2024.”

As you are hopefully aware, even though we have very safe and effective vaccines, these diseases have not been eradicated…

More on DPT Vaccines Work

Last Updated on August 15, 2024

How Many Lives Has the DPT Vaccine Saved?