Vaccination

Vaccination:

  • Vaccination involves the introduction of small amounts of dead or inactive pathogens into the body. These pathogens are not dangerous, but they stimulate the body’s natural immune response.

  • Vaccines work by prompting the production of lymphocytes (white blood cells) that produce antibodies. These antibodies are specific to the antigens on the exterior of the pathogen introduced by the vaccine.

  • If the individual is later exposed to the actual disease-causing pathogen, the body’s immune system can respond more rapidly. This is because the lymphocytes that recognise the specific antigen can proliferate and produce antibodies more quickly.

  • Vaccination creates immunity without the individual having to suffer from the disease first.

  • A national vaccination programme in a country can lead to herd immunity. Most of the population will be immune to the disease, so the spread of the pathogen is greatly reduced.

  • The concept of herd immunity is important for protecting individuals who cannot be vaccinated, such as those with a compromised immune system or certain allergies.

  • Vaccines have led to the eradication, or near-eradication, of many serious diseases, including smallpox and polio.

  • However, vaccines can have side-effects, ranging from mild (like a sore arm) to severe (allergic reactions). These are rare, and the benefits of vaccines overwhelmingly outweigh the risks.

  • There is no scientific evidence to support claims that vaccines, such as the MMR vaccine, can cause autism. This myth has been thoroughly debunked by extensive research.

Red Flags:

  • Vaccines are not the same as antibiotics. While antibiotics are used to kill bacteria, vaccines prepare your immune system to fight off viruses or bacteria before you get infected.

  • Vaccines cannot make you sick with the disease they are designed to protect against. The pathogens in vaccines are either dead or significantly weakened.

  • It is important to remember that no vaccine offers 100% protection, and it is still possible to get sick after vaccination. However, those who are vaccinated generally experience less severe symptoms if they do get the disease.