The Importance of Immunization in Children and Adults: Living in the near present when the world is fighting with numerous kinds of infectious diseases, the term of vaccination has become a powerful defense to save our lives. The vaccinations do not save people form the severe illnesses, but the whole community altogether. The following paper will describe in detail why people need to vaccinate themselves, how this process works, what its side effects may be and what are the myths that ordinary citizens have to be aware of.
What is vaccination and how does it work?
Vaccination is a scientific procedure whereby the body is provided with immunity of an illness. In this, any virus, bacteria or their poisonous components are weakened or neutralized and taken into the body. This enables the immune system of the body to identify it and give out antibodies thus when attack of the diseased actually attacks the body it is ready and can give resistance to the disease.
Such approach is much safer in comparison that natural infection fight since the possibility of complications and death in course of natural infection emerges, but after vaccination it is decreased to the greatest extent.
Benefits of vaccines: Protection for everyone, not just yourself
Besides protecting an individual, vaccines also have the collective immunity i.e. herd immunity. In a situation where the majority of the population is vaccinated the spread of the disease is thrown to a halt and also those are safe who cannot be vaccinated because of a given reason say newborns, people with serious diseases or those people whose immunity is weak.
WHO (World Health Organization) says that the measure of saved lives is in millions as a direct result of vaccines; it happens annually.
Vaccines: Myths vs Facts
What vaccines do:
- Protect against life-threatening diseases like polio, tetanus, measles, diphtheria, etc.
- Protect entire societies by providing herd immunity.
- Go through years of testing before they are approved.
- May cause mild and temporary side effects like sore arms, fever, etc.
- May help eradicate some diseases – like smallpox.
What vaccines don’t do:
- Do not weaken the immune system, multiple vaccines are completely safe to give at once.
- Do not contain mercury (thiomersal) or dangerous chemicals.
- No scientific link has been found between vaccines and autism.
- They do not cause any long-term harm.
Vaccine safety and testing
It takes years of study and tests by scientists because vaccines must be tried before administered to human beings. In other countries such as the UK, bodies such as the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) keep constant check on them. It is possible to report any side effects by using Yellow Card Scheme, to that the necessary steps could be undertaken in time.
Who can’t get vaccinated?
Although vaccines are safe for most people, vaccination is not given in certain circumstances, such as:
- If you have previously had a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine.
- If the person is allergic to the ingredients in that vaccine.
- Some “live” vaccines are not given if the immune system is very weak due to certain diseases or treatments (such as cancer chemotherapy).
In these cases, advice from a doctor or nurse is important.
Common side effects of vaccination
Common and mild side effects of vaccination can include:
- Mild swelling, redness or pain at the site of injection
- Mild fever, headache or tiredness
- Crying or irritability for a short time after the vaccine in children
- Occasionally dizziness in older children or adults
These symptoms are normal and resolve on their own within 1-2 days.
Severe allergic reaction: Very rare but manageable
On a very few occasions someone can be anaphylactic (severe allergic reaction) to the vaccine. This normally occurs few minutes after administering the vaccine. However, the vaccinators are trained and one can be cured immediately and therefore he or she can heal totally.
What is in vaccines?
A majority of the vaccines have attenuated or killed virus or bacteria. This does not make one sick but the immune system of the body learns how to recognise it and how to react against it.
Types of vaccines:
| Vaccine Type | Description | Suitable For | Protection Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live (Weakened) | Contains live but weakened form of virus/bacteria. | Generally healthy people (Not for immunocompromised) | Long-term, sometimes lifelong |
| Non-Live (Inactivated) | Contains dead or inactivated organisms. | Safe for most, including those with weak immunity | May require boosters |
Other ingredients found in vaccines
Vaccines contain the following chemicals in very small amounts to help increase their effectiveness:
- Aluminum – Helps in improving immune response
- Squalene oil – Derived from natural sources, for immunity boosting
- Pork gelatin – As a preservative in some vaccines
- Egg protein – Flu vaccine N such as found in some vaccines
- Antibiotics – to prevent bacteria in the production process
The amount of these substances is so negligible that they do not pose any health risk. If someone has a particular allergy, then consultation with a doctor is necessary.
Special information for children
Vaccines are administered at many different ages as the child grows to the adolescence phase. MMR vaccine ( measles, mumps, rubella) is very effective in saving children against big illnesses. When 95 per cent of the children get this vaccine, diseases such as measles can be eliminated all together.
Beware of social media and misinformation
Misinformation about vaccines is usually propagated by means of social net, and it is not grounded on science. Correct information only can be obtained in organizations such as WHO and NHS. False information threatens the lives of people.
Conclusion: Vaccination is essential for a safe future
Not only is vaccination the surest way of destroying diseases but it is also a way to healthy society. It safeguards our children, family and the whole community. On scientific experiments and years of practice, vaccines have been shown to be safe even as they help in saving lives.
Thus remember about vaccination and do not get confused, remember to be vaccinated in time and protect yourself and your close one.
