Vaccines may contain inactive or weakened viruses or bacteria, or even components of these infectious agents. This ‘tricks’ your immune system into generating antibodies without causing the symptoms of the disease. When there is a high incidence of vaccination in a community, it is easier to stop the transmission of disease from one person to the next. Herd immunity is another name for this phenomenon. Vaccines are a considerably more secure method of illness prevention than the natural immunity that develops after an individual has been exposed to a disease.
Vaccines are safe
Millions of people — including babies and young children — get vaccines every year with few or no side effects. Vaccines are safe because they contain either dead or weakened versions of disease-causing germs or parts of the germ that don’t cause disease.
These harmless vaccinations prompt the immune system to develop antibodies and memory cells against germs. Then if the body ever comes into contact with the actual, live, dangerous germ, it will recognize it and quickly fight off an infection.
Vaccines can also create “herd immunity.” When enough people in a community are vaccinated against a disease, it’s harder for the germ to spread among the population. This type of protection helps infants, older adults and those with weakened immune systems who can’t get vaccines on their own. It can even help prevent disease outbreaks in communities with very low immunization rates. Some vaccines need to be updated periodically as the viruses that they protect against mutate over time.
Vaccines are effective
Vaccines help our immune systems recognize and fight off germs. They usually contain dead or weakened versions of disease-causing bacteria or viruses. They may also contain toxins produced by the germs, or parts of the virus or bacteria such as proteins or antigens. Some vaccines like mRNA, viral vector and conjugate vaccines use genetic material (mRNA or DNA) that gives your cells instructions for making antibodies.
Most vaccines are made from a very small amount of weakened or dead germ. This allows your immune system to ‘trick’ the germs into making antibodies without making you sick. Vaccines also trigger your memory cells so that if you are ever exposed to a real germ, you can fight it off and avoid serious illness.
Some diseases are very serious and can cause lifelong health problems or even death. Getting vaccinated can prevent you from getting these illnesses and stop them from spreading in your community. This is called herd immunity.
Vaccines are free
Vaccines have made it possible for infectious diseases to reach all-time low levels in the world, saving millions of lives and billions of dollars in health care costs. They work by using weakened or dead viruses or bacteria to prompt your immune system to create antibodies and memory cells against the disease. The immunity created by vaccines lasts for life and often helps protect family members as well. Vaccines also help build herd immunity, which is when enough people in a community are vaccinated so that the spread of disease is stopped or slows down.
Some vaccines contain whole germs and others only a piece of the germ that causes the disease, like toxoid vaccines which use a poison made by a germ to prompt an immune response without causing illness. Vaccines are free, but a strong and healthy immune system is needed to get the most benefit from them. Research shows that when women have the information and empowerment to make vaccination decisions for themselves and their children, immunization rates increase.
Vaccines save lives
Vaccines work with your body’s natural defences to build protection against disease. They contain either killed or weakened versions of the germs that cause a disease, or parts of them (antibodies or toxins). Your immune system reacts to these, then remembers how to defeat them so it can protect you from the disease.
Once your immune system knows how to fight a disease, vaccines can keep you protected for many years. This also benefits your community by creating “herd immunity”. Germs spread much more quickly when enough people have not been vaccinated.
We can reduce the number of cases and deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases by increasing vaccination rates. We must encourage everyone to get vaccinated, including those who have already received the vaccines they need and those too young to be vaccinated. Civic organizations, places of worship and families can help by spreading the word, separating vaccinated and unvaccinated people in public spaces, and making sure vaccines are available at events and gatherings.
“Alternative Health and Wellness: Holistic Healing” promotes mind, body, and spirit connection to achieve wellness. Holistic therapy is included. “The Role of Vaccines in Preventing Disease” emphasizes the importance of vaccinations for public health, stopping the spread of infectious diseases, and promoting immunization. One focuses on complementary wellness measures, while the other emphasizes the importance of vaccines in illness prevention. They broaden our understanding of healthcare and wellness.
