The direct impact of vaccines on children is well described, but the major public health impact of indirect protection provided to the community by vaccines is underappreciated. Community protection occurs when vaccinated persons block the chain of transmission, protecting undervaccinated or unvaccinated susceptible community members by preventing exposure and limiting the spread of the pathogen through the community. Substantial declines in disease incidence have occurred shortly after implementing new childhood vaccines, including declines among vaccine-ineligible children, adolescents, and adults. Protection of susceptible community members depends on maintaining high vaccination rates. Improved recognition of community protection will strengthen childhood vaccination strategies that will protect our communities into the future.

中文翻译：

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通过儿童接种疫苗保护社区

疫苗对儿童的直接影响已得到充分描述，但疫苗对社区的间接保护对公众健康的主要影响却未得到充分认识。当接种疫苗的人阻断了传播链，通过预防接触和限制病原体在整个社区的传播，来保护接种疫苗不足或未接种疫苗的易感社区成员时，就会发生社区保护。在实施新的儿童期疫苗后不久，疾病发生率就出现了大幅下降，其中包括不符合疫苗接种要求的儿童，青少年和成人的发病率下降。保护易感社区成员取决于维持较高的疫苗接种率。对社区保护的认识得到提高，将加强儿童疫苗接种策略，从而保护我们的社区进入未来。