Vaccine Preventable Diseases

TB is usually spread through breathing and that is how it enters the lungs. If left untreated, it can harm the lungs and brain.

Polio is a highly infectious viral disease mainly affecting young children. The virus attacks the nervous system, causing paralysis that is mostly permanent.

Rotavirus kills around 53,300 children in Pakistan each year. Symptoms appear after two days and last a week. If untreated it can result in death, especially in young infants.

Pneumonia is a lung infection that spreads through breathing. It causes inflammation and stiffness of the lungs. If left untreated, it can result in death, especially in young infants.

Pertussis causes violent coughing spells with a whooping noise. It spreads through coughing, sneezing or touching infected surfaces. If untreated it can harm the child's internal organs.

Tetanus is caused by bacteria found in soil entering through open wounds like cuts, burns and non-sterile surgery. It can cause death through paralysis of the throat and respiratory muscles.

Hepatitis B is a contagious liver disease spread through blood or body fluids. It can also be transmitted from an infected mother to child at birth. If untreated it can result in liver failure.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the inside layers of the brain: bacterial, viral or fungal. It can be transmitted through the nose, skull fractures or spinal fluid. If untreated it can result in death.

Diphtheria is a contagious bacterial infection that spreads person-to-person and attacks the respiratory system. If untreated it can damage internal organs and result in death.

Measles is a highly infectious disease that can easily be spread by sneezing, coughing or physical contact. It remains one of the leading causes of death among young children globally.

Typhoid is a life-threatening disease caused by Salmonella Typhi. Fatality rates range from 1 to 4% in treated cases and 10 to 20% in untreated cases. Highest rates are in children under 4 years.

Rubella is mild in children but dangerous during pregnancy. Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) causes birth defects: a woman infected early in pregnancy has a 90% chance of passing it to her fetus.