Immunization
Immunization, commonly known as vaccination is a preventive health measure used to prevent and control the spread of infectious diseases. Immunization strengthens the immune system and makes the body resistant to infectious diseases. According to the World Health Organization WHO, immunization averts approximately 2 to 3 million deaths globally each year.
How does immunization work?
Naturally, the body’s immune system is designed to protect itself from pathogens that cause illnesses by producing antibodies against the infections. However, sometimes the system may get overwhelmed, resulting in illness. Through vaccination, your body is introduced to a weakened version of antigens that mimic those that cause the actual disease. This prepares the body to recognize an infection such that when the pathogen invades, the body is stimulated to produce antibodies against the antigens. Vaccination conditions the body to recognize antigens that cause infections and respond fast in case of an attack in the future. Vaccination works by either preventing the onset of an illness or reducing the severity of the attack.
In countries and communities where immunization has been embraced, many common illnesses that caused thousands of deaths, such as polio, smallpox, diphtheria, and polio, are now manageable. Vaccination has proven to be one of the most effective methods used to prevent and control serious diseases. In rare cases, some people may still contract the disease even after vaccination. Many other serious infections, such as the Ebola virus and sexually transmitted infections such as HIV infections, Syphilis, and Gonorrhea, remains a threat to the human race as there are no vaccines available for them.
Safety Concerns about vaccines
Before vaccines are released to the public for use, they go through rigorous and systematic testing to ensure that they are safe to be used by the general public. Multiple researches and studies conducted have shown that, indeed, vaccines are safe. But like many other forms of medication, vaccines are not without side effects. However, the side effects reported are just minor, ranging from irritation from the injections, mild rashes, and fever that fade away in a short time.
Still, some parents often hesitate to take their children for vaccination. Many parents are still concerned about the safety of immunization due to the fear and the belief that the vaccines may cause a severe reaction or cause the infection. For instance, the hearsay that vaccines cause autism in young children is one of the main reasons for opposition to vaccines. But the fact still remains, the health benefits of vaccines outweigh the risks.
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