Vaccines are among the most powerful inventions, making once-fearful diseases preventable, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared today, adding that global immunizations have saved at least 154 million lives over the past 50 years. At a WHO press conference in Geneva, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the statistics are equivalent to six lives saved every minute over half a century, especially the lives of babies.

"Vaccines are among the most powerful inventions in history, making once diseases preventable. Thanks to vaccines, smallpox is gone, polio is on the way, and with the latest development of vaccines against diseases like malaria and cervical cancer, we are pushing the boundaries of disease," he said. Tedros said that with ongoing research, investment and cooperation, the world could save millions more lives today and in the next 50 years.The study, led by WHO, shows that immunization is the single most significant contribution of any health intervention to ensuring babies see their birthdays. first and continue to lead healthy lives into adulthood.Of the vaccines included in the study, measles vaccination had the greatest impact on reducing infant mortality, with 60% of lives saved due to immunization Chief i The WHO said the measles vaccine is likely to remain the main contributor to future death prevention