When it comes to saving lives and minimizing health care costs , vaccinating children against infectious diseases is one of the most cost - effective public health interventions . In the united States alone , over the last 20 years childhood immunizations have prevented 40 million illnesses , 21 million hospitalizations , 000 deaths , and saved nearly $ 1 trillion in total societal costs .
When it comes to saving lives and minimizing health care costs, vaccinating children against infectious diseases is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions. In the United States alone, over the last 20 years childhood immunizations have prevented 322 million illnesses, 21 million hospitalizations, 732,000 deaths, and saved nearly $1.38 trillion in total societal costs.