One of the most exciting things is being in apposition to be able to understand the manner in which vaccines work in our bodies. To comprehensively have a clear understanding of how vaccines work, it is essential first to understand the manner in which the body’s immune system works in its quest to protect us from the disease In addition to that, research has shown that the benefits obtained from vaccines are far much better than the side effects that one is likely to realize from a vaccination process. The human immune system is made up of a unique network of cells, organs, and tissues that work in unison to help protect the body against disease (Espejo). It is important to note that there are some things that the immune system does when a disease-causing germ such as virus or bacteria gets into the body. First, the immune system recognizes the presence of the germ as foreign material and not part of the body. Secondly, it responds by producing particular proteins, commonly referred to as antibodies that are instrumental in destroying the germ.
In some cases, the immune system is not capable of acting fast enough to eliminate the germ leading to a situation where one gets sick. Destruction of the germ leads to restoration of one’s health. Finally, the immune system is intelligent because it can remember that germ to the extent that once it resurfaces again into one’s body, it is likely to be destroyed in a relatively quicker fashion before it makes one sick (“Vaccine Basics – Importance Of Vaccines”). This type of protection is referred to as immunity. It is important to note that vaccines give the body immunity, something that prevents one from getting sick first. They are made using weakened versions of the disease-causing germ referred to as an antigen. Some vaccines are dependent on genetic engineering to make the antigens required.
Research has shown that it is relatively safer to get a vaccine rather than the disease it is supposed to prevent. Once one gets a vaccine, the immune system starts a process of responding to the vaccine in a similar way it would have for the real germ. The immune system identifies the germ in the vaccine as a foreign body. Secondly, it responds more quickly by producing antibodies to the germ in the similar fashion it would have done for a real germ (Merino). Finally, it remembers the germ and the method are used to destroy it. This way it becomes easy to deal with a real germ once it encounters one shortly. Therefore, this is how one gets immunity from vaccines.
In summary, it is conclusive to say that vaccines can be equated to a comprehensive training course for our immune system. Their primary responsibility revolves around preparing the body to be in a position to fight diseases without unnecessarily exposing it to the symptoms of the disease. When a foreign body such as a virus or bacteria gets into the body, immune cells react by producing antibodies, commonly referred to as protein molecules. Their primary responsibility in the body is to fight all invaders (antigens) with the aim of protecting the body from further infection. Research has shown that a healthy individual has the capacity of producing millions of antibodies within a day (“Vaccines: Vac-Gen/Side Effects”). These antibodies efficiently fight infections to an extent where people do not even get to know that their bodies were exposed to a particular antigen. The only unfortunate thing is that the first time the body comes in contact with a particular foreign body, it might take a longer time ramping up antibody response.
Vaccines have been instrumental in the prevention of many diseases. Over the years, some resources have been channeled towards finding the right vaccines that could be used to prevent some of the deadly illnesses and diseases. Its success rate has been spectacular. Worldwide, vaccines have been on the forefront when it comes to the reduction of infectious diseases that at some point were considered to be the deadliest to infants, children, and adults (“Misconceptions about Seasonal Flu and Flu Vaccines | Seasonal Influenza (Flu) | CDC”). On the other hand, conditions have proven to be dangerous and can even lead to death for individuals who are not vaccinated. Therefore vaccines have proven to be relatively essential to the healthy. In most cases, vaccines act as preventable measures to contracting some of the deadliest diseases one could ever think of.
Some diseases are currently becoming very rare. The United States Department of Health has noted that diseases like diphtheria and polio have been on a sharp decline because people are being vaccinated against them. On the other hand, bacteria and viruses responsible for vaccine-preventable diseases and death are still in existence. This is a worrying trend since they could quickly be passed on to people who are not vaccinated. It is also important to note that vaccine-preventable diseases have a number of both social and economic costs. Sick children are likely to miss school, something that may cause their parents to lose a lot of time in their respective jobs since they have to take care of their sick children. Hence, it is advisable to avoid all that could easily avoided through vaccination.
Most of these diseases also can create a scenario where one has to have regular doctor visits, premature deaths, and hospitalizations. Therefore, it makes sense that the process of immunization is necessary and must be intensified whatsoever. As much as there are fewer cases of disease today, the moment the process of vaccination is eliminated, there are higher chances that many people will still get sick and even spread the disease to others. The process of vaccination is not just meant to protect children but is also aimed at protecting grandchildren and generations to come after that. Some of the most interesting insights about the process of vaccination are that the consistent approach taken to immunize children has led to the eradication of some of the world’s most notorious illnesses.
For instance, there is no need of worrying about smallpox anymore. Health institutions no longer give smallpox vaccines since the disease no longer exists. This leads us to the conclusion that there is need to continue with the vaccination process since it is the only way of securing the future generations from diseases. Therefore, if we keep on vaccinating now, maybe future parents will not have to worry about some of the diseases that are threatening new-born babies. Research has shown that vaccines have registered up to 95 percent success rate, an all-time high. This is an indication that they are incredibly effective when it comes to prevention of diseases alone. For instance, the United States has registered a tremendous drop in disease infection cases with increased advocacy on the need to vaccinate both children and adults.
Healthy people still need vaccines due to the numerous advantages that vaccination has on the human body. One of the reason is that vaccination has the potential of saving one’s life. Advances in medical science have led to a situation where it is relatively easy to protect a healthy individual from more diseases than has been done in the past (“Key Facts about Seasonal Flu Vaccine”). Some diseases that were once a threat to the human population have been neutralized completely as a result of vaccination. Secondly, healthy people need to be vaccinated because it is not only safe but also effective. Third, there are diseases that are likely to appear or show symptoms in healthy adults in an unprecedented manner, therefore vaccination turns out to be close to the sure way of keeping them at bay.
Treating diseases has proven to be one of the most expensive venture families get themselves in, a situation that needs to be overturned. Research has shown that most of the diseases that many people spend a lot of resources treating can be prevented through the process of vaccination. For instance, the resurgence of whooping cough and measles is attributed by some factions skipping treatments. These diseases have the potential of breaking down one’s immune system and in worst cases can lead to death (Fisher). Families and other households, therefore, have a hectic time draining resources in their quest to treat illnesses that could have easily been prevented by a simple vaccination process. Thus, vaccination does not protect one’s family but helps in preventing the disease to immediate relatives and close friends.
There is nothing as practical as vaccination. Numerous research prospects are being done on a daily basis to help strengthen the success rate of vaccines. The effectiveness of vaccines is an important question that needs to be addressed with a lot of urgencies. There are some incidences where government agencies have been put to task to explain whether these vaccines are functioning or not. There are incidences where people have been made to believe that vaccines do not work. In such cases, it has always been difficult trying to convince the populations that vaccination is for their good. On the other hand, there is compelling evidence that as much as vaccines are not at 100 % when it comes to efficiency, they have significantly aided controlling the spread of diseases and other harmful foreign bodies (“Misconceptions About Seasonal Flu And Flu Vaccines | Seasonal Influenza (Flu) | CDC”). Therefore, the effectiveness of vaccines must not be questioned but the willingness to use vaccines.
Some cultures prohibit the use of vaccines and other medicines, For example, the Amish disregard the use of modern medicine and may not be open to the use of vaccines. This leads us to a situation where there is still an imbalance when it comes to preventing the entire world from deadly diseases and the limitations that drag this process. Vaccines have proven to be important in controlling infectious diseases, and its success rate is unquestionable. It is important for people to comprehensively understand how the entire process works, something that could win the hearts of many to the process of vaccination. Therefore, people should be made to understand vast benefits that come with the process of vaccination.
In summary, one must be cognizant of the fact that vaccines can be equated to a training course of the human immune system. They are instrumental in preparing the body to be able to fight various diseases without exposing one to the disease symptoms. When foreign substances get access into the body, immune cells referred to as lymphocytes respond in a relatively quicker fashion by producing antibodies, protein in nature. These antibodies fight the invader referred to as antigen and in the process, the body is protected from infection. Vaccination is considered to be relatively different from giving an unwell child medicine. Vaccination comes with a number of benefits and is considered a very important event in the life of every human (Fisher). The main idea of vaccination is that your child will not at any time end up in the intensive care unit with meningitis or become ill with measles.
In most cases, it may seem tempting to reject vaccination and let nature takes its course. On the other hand, refraining from the process of vaccination has shown to be putting children at a risk of contracting a number of serious and fatal diseases. When it comes to reality, one must be cognizant of the fact that having vaccination is safer than not having one. As much as they are considered to be not 100 percent effective in every child, they are seen as the best defense that the human body has in relation to epidemics that at one point used to disable or kill children and adults. Vaccination is, therefore, a process that must be enhanced and encouraged as it is the only hope towards saving and sustaining lives.
- “Influenza (Flu).” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 30 Oct. 2017 In Memoriam: Infant Deaths & Vaccination.
- Cdc.gov. (2018). Misconceptions about Seasonal Flu and Flu Vaccines | Seasonal Influenza (Flu) | CDC. [Online]
- Cdc.gov. (2018). Vaccines: Vac-Gen/Side Effects. [Online]
- Vaccineinformation.org. (2018). Vaccine Basics – Importance of Vaccines.
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. “Vaccines Prevent Infectious Diseases.”
- Do Infectious Diseases Pose a Threat? Edited by Roman Espejo, Greenhaven Press, at Issue. Opposing Viewpoints in Context
- “Vaccination Programs Have Reduced the Incidence of Many Diseases.” Vaccines, edited by Noël Merino, Greenhaven Press, 2015. At Issue. Opposing Viewpoints in Context