Immunization or vaccination is a simple yet effective way of prevention against many serious diseases.
Over the years, immunizations have saved countless lives by preventing different illnesses, diseases, and disabilities in the United States alone.
Many diseases are vaccine-preventable but unfortunately, they infect many people every year just because they do not receive their immunizations.
How immunizations work
When you receive vaccination against a disease, you teach your immune system by mimicking a natural infection.
Your body being unable to perceive the vaccine virus as weakened considers it as a dangerous threat and hence, engulfs it. It then starts forming antibodies to fight the disease, which results in a quick elimination of the virus. All that remains is the group of cells that are programmed to combat any future infection.
This ensures that later when you come in contact with a disease for real, your immune system will respond effectively and help prevent the development of the disease or significantly reduce its severity.
With the increasing number of diseases now affecting people around the world, immunization appears to be the only preventive measure that is still effective. Thanks to immunization, many diseases that were once feared badly by people have been cut from their roots.
Is immunization safe and tested?
In a word, YES! Doctors, scientists, and medical professionals test and review all the vaccines rigorously. The development of a vaccine is typically a long, complex, and effortful process that may last for 10 to 15 years.
People are only offered a vaccine after it has been subjected to extensive testing and has passed a series of vaccine trials.
The diseases that immunization provides protection against
Below is a list of diseases that you can prevent by getting yourself vaccinated:
- Measles
- A cough
- Pneumococcal disease
- Tetanus
- Mumps
- Polio
- Chickenpox
- Rotavirus
- Hepatitis
- Meningococcal C
- Diphtheria
- Rubella
Each of these diseases poses serious health issues and at times, can prove fatal as well. Fortunately, all of these diseases can be prevented and eventually stopped – and the credit solely goes to vaccination!
Importance of immunization
Majority of healthcare professionals, medical researchers and organizations recommend immunization.
Getting vaccination is crucial for two main reasons.
- To protect yourself from the infectious diseases
- To protect those around you
Immunization is perhaps the only effective way to protect yourself and your loved ones from diseases and illnesses that have no proper medical treatments available and can result in serious complications and even death.
Furthermore, there are some people whose immune systems are impaired, making them susceptible to diseases. They might not be able to get vaccinations or even if they do, they might not be able to develop immunity. Hence, the only way for them to stay protected against diseases is to be surrounded by people who are vaccinated so that the illnesses are less common.
The bottom line is that immunization and vaccination is the primary way to promote a massive, long-term decrease in the prevalence of infectious diseases and illnesses. Thus, get yourself and your loved ones vaccinated to stay healthy and strong enough to combat diseases!