Why is vaccination so important?

For centuries, epidemics have claimed millions of lives. In search of protection against infectious diseases, people tried spells, prayer, turned to conspiracies and even sun healing. But it was only with the advent of vaccines that an effective fight against infections around the world could begin.

The easiest, safest and most effective way to protect yourself from diseases is vaccination. There are vaccines that are recommended routinely for adults and children, tetanus and measles for example. Others are indicated on an individual basis, depending on certain circumstances (vaccination against rabies, typhoid fever and yellow fever etc).

What is a ‘natural protective mechanism’?
Our body has many ways to protect against pathogens which contain an antigen - an element that is recognised by the immune system as alien, this leads to the production of antibodies.

When the human body first meets an antigen, it takes time for the immune system to react and produce antibodies against it. At this point, when antibodies have not yet been produced, there’s a high probability that the person may get sick.

Along with the production of antibodies, the body creates memory cells, which also being to produce antibodies. Thanks to these memory cells, should the same pathogen re-infect the body, the immune system will immediately start producing antibodies and protect the person from that disease.

How do vaccines work?
Vaccines teach the immune system to create antibodies to a specific virus before the body is every exposed to it in the real world. Vaccines are often made from “killed” or “weakened” forms of the pathogen which cannot lead to the disease in question.

Vaccination not lonely protects the people who are vaccinated, but also those who cannot be vaccinated, such as young children or people who severe allergies to components of the vaccine - such people can be protected if they live amongst a well vaccinated community.

Why can’t vaccination be postponed?
There are increased risks of serious illness from diseases such as measles, meningitis, tetanus, polio and rubella.

If an outbreak of any disease beings, there may not be enough time to get the full protected effect of the vaccine. This is especially true for vaccines which are given over a course of several doses, such as hepatitis B.

Are vaccines safe?
First, all vaccines that reach the market undergo large-scale clinical trials.

Secondly, even after the end of testing experts continue to monitor information and efficacy of the vaccine.

Thirdly, there is an independent body for vaccine quality control - the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety.

Contraindications
For most vaccines, the only absolute contraindication is anaphylaxis - a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine or one of its components. People with immunodeficiency, for the most part, should not be administered “live” vaccines. Any other issues are usually temporary and can be carried out later.

Remember!
The risk of serious health consequences as a result of the disease is many times higher than any small risk associated with vaccination.