One of the most practical measures in public health is immunization. There are a lot of infectious diseases that can be prevented simply by getting vaccinated against these diseases. However, there are still very absurd claims against Vaccination. A lot of these claims against vaccination are not even founded on hard science and evidence.
One can trace the beginnings of Vaccination when Dr. Edward Jenner inoculated James Phipps, an 8-year old boy, with vaccinia virus (cowpox). Thus the word "vaccination".
How do vaccines work? There are two types of vaccines. One type is the kind that stimulates the body to produce its own antibodies or defense against the particular virus or bacteria that can cause the disease.
Our bodies are equipped with its own defense against foreign bodies or pathogens such as bacteria or viruses or fungi. Once the body is under attack, it will produce "guard cells"(antibodies) to fight off the pathogens. And the development of these "guard cells" can take a while. But once available, these cells can attack the pathogens directly and thereby controlling their spread and their effect on the entire body and eliminating them totally out of the body. And the body never forgets. It records a profile (in the memory cells) of these pathogens and develops specific "guard cells" just for these pathogens so that in case similar pathogens come back again (second wave of attack), the body is more prepared this time. The vaccine somehow stimulates this process. It provokes the body to produce these "guard cells" by exposing them to weakened pathogens so that when actual aggressive pathogens do attack the body, the body is already prepared with its "guard cells."
There is another type of vaccine which actually contains substances (immunoglobulins) that act like the "guard cells" of the body. So that once injected, they immediately identify and destroy the virus or bacteria while the body is producing its own guard cells. This type of vaccine does not give longer immunity. It only gives temporary immunity.
Vaccination epitomizes the maxim "An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure". Since the advent of vaccination and as our knowledge about immunology advances, a lot of lives have been saved by vaccination. There were even diseases that were totally eliminated because of vaccines, an example is Smallpox. In some parts of the world, diseases like polio no longer exist because of successful immunization programs. Many of these diseases are life threatening. And management of these diseases can be expensive. Immunization is still the best way to go.
A lot of these immunization happens before an infant turns 1 year old. There are also adult immunizations as well. It is best to consult your Family Doctor to check if your immunization record is up to date.
Your family doctor will also check which appropriate vaccine is good for you. Your family doctor will also explain what to watch out for after the vaccine is given. There are common side effects such as bruising on the injection site which can only last a few days. Some may develop mild fever. One very rare side effect is an allergic reaction to the vaccine. That is why before giving you the vaccine your Family Doctor will ask for your past medical history including any history of allergies. Your doctor will then make an assessment if you are qualified to be given the vaccine.
Eventually, our technology will advance so that we will be able to access safe and effective vaccines that will eventually eradicate a lot of these fatal diseases.
Remember, vaccination is not just for children. Adults can and should get vaccinated as well.
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