Vaccination is one of the most successful measures in the field of public health, and it helps save millions of people’s lives annually. The concept is simple yet powerful: vaccines work by using an inactive or weakened form of a pathogen to familiarise the body’s immune system and combat the real pathogen in case it is exposed to the disease in the future.
This blog provides a closer look at the importance of vaccination, the various types of vaccines, and the need for childhood and flu vaccines.
The Importance of Vaccination
Given are a few reasons why one should get vaccinated:
- Disease Prevention
Vaccines are among the most effective tools in public health because they help prevent the occurrence of infectious diseases. Due to vaccination, some diseases, such as smallpox, have been completely eradicated, while others, such as polio, are almost on the verge of being eradicated. This not only saves lives but also relieves the pressure on the healthcare sector.
- Herd Immunity
Herd immunity is reached when a large number of people in a population become immune through vaccination or previous infection. This implies that even those who cannot be vaccinated, like those with certain health complications, are safe because the spread of contagious diseases is prevented.
- Economic Benefits
Vaccination also helps in cutting down the costs of health care since diseases that would have been expensive to treat are prevented. Also, it reduces the costs associated with sick days and long-term disability, which are some of the economic consequences of the disease.
- Global Health Security
Vaccines are very important in the fight against diseases since they help prevent epidemics and pandemics. They are a critical component in combating new and re-emerging infectious diseases and bioterrorism.
Types of Vaccines
Vaccines are produced through different methods to achieve the goal of safety and efficacy. Here are the main types of vaccines:
- Live-attenuated Vaccines
These vaccines are made from a weakened form of the germ that is used to cause the disease. They are very close to the natural infection, and thus, they stimulate a very effective and long-term immune response. Some examples are the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine.
- Inactivated Vaccines
Inactivated vaccines contain the germ that has been killed or inactivated. They are not as effective as live vaccines and thus, usually require booster shots. Some of them are the hepatitis A vaccine, the polio vaccine, and the flu shot. The importance of flu vaccine is it protects against influenza, a very infectious respiratory disease that can cause serious complications. Annual flu vaccination benefits not only the person but also the population as a whole since it prevents the virus from spreading.
- Subunit, Recombinant, Polysaccharide, and Conjugate Vaccines
These vaccines employ a part of the germ, such as its protein, sugar, or capsid (which is a covering around the germ). Since these vaccines contain only the necessary components of the germ, they stimulate a very strong immune response that is specific to the germ. Some of them are the HPV vaccine, the hepatitis B vaccine, and the meningococcal vaccine, among others.
- Toxoid Vaccines
These vaccines protect against diseases resulting from bacteria that release toxins in the body. They use a toxin produced by the germ that causes the disease. The toxin is neutralised in the laboratory so that it cannot harm the human body. Some of them are the diphtheria and tetanus vaccines.
- mRNA Vaccines
This newer type of vaccine teaches cells how to make a protein—or even just a piece of a protein—that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. The COVID-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna are examples of mRNA vaccines.
Importance of Childhood Vaccinations
Given are a few importance of childhood vaccinations:
- Protecting Children: They prevent children from getting severe diseases and complications of diseases that can be prevented through vaccination, such as measles, mumps, rubella, and whooping cough.
- Community Protection: Vaccinating children also helps protect other members of the community, such as babies who are too young to receive vaccines and those with compromised immune systems.
- Eradication of Diseases: Childhood vaccinations have eliminated or reduced diseases, such as smallpox and polio, among others.
Why is Spacing and Timing of Vaccines Important?
The timing and spacing of vaccines are critical for ensuring their effectiveness and safety:
- Optimal Immune Response: Immunisations are administered at certain times when the child’s immune system will respond optimally.
- Protection at the Right Time: Some diseases are age related and are likely to affect people at a given age than others. It is important to adhere to the recommended schedule so that children are protected when they are most at risk.
- Minimising Side Effects: Taking vaccines at the right interval helps in minimising side effects and, at the same time, helps the body to develop immunity.
Conclusion
Immunisation through vaccination is one of the most effective measures in the prevention and control of communicable diseases for the individual as well as for the population as a whole. It is crucial to emphasise on the importance of vaccination in early childhood since they are the basis for the development of immunity and protection against diseases.
Also, preventive measures such as annual flu shots are important in reducing the effects of seasonal flu. Staying updated and following the recommended vaccination schedule helps us to be responsible for our health and the health of others, thus making the world a healthy and safer place.
