Vaccinations are one of the greatest achievements in modern medicine. Through vaccines, people can avoid contracting dangerous and life-threatening diseases and illnesses. Vaccinations are not just for children.
Adults also need to receive regular vaccines to keep themselves healthy and protected throughout their entire lives.
Why Vaccinations are Important
Vaccines are important because they help your body’s immune system fight off disease. When you get a vaccination, your body is exposed to a small amount of a weakened or dead form of the disease.
This exposure helps your immune system recognize the threat and produce antibodies to fight against it. Once your immune system has “learned” how to fight the disease, it will be better equipped to fight off the disease if you are ever exposed to it again.
There are many reasons why vaccines are important. Some of the most significant reasons include:.
- Preventing diseases
- Protecting others who cannot receive vaccines
- Reducing healthcare costs
- Reducing disease-related deaths
- Preventing outbreaks of diseases
- Keeping communities healthy
Vaccines for Children
Vaccines are critical for children because they are at higher risk of contracting diseases due to their developing immune systems.
Children receive many vaccines to protect them from common childhood diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, whooping cough, and others.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children receive vaccines according to the following schedule:.
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- At birth: Hepatitis B
- 2 months: Pentavalent vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine, rotavirus vaccine
- 4 months: Pentavalent vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine, rotavirus vaccine
- 6 months: Pentavalent vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine, rotavirus vaccine, flu vaccine (annually)
- 12-15 months: MMR, varicella, Hepatitis A, Hib, PCV13 vaccine
- 4-6 years: DTaP, MMR, IPV, flu vaccine (annually)
Vaccines for Adults
Just because you received vaccines as a child doesn’t mean you are immune to diseases as an adult. Adults still need to receive regular vaccines to protect themselves and those around them. The CDC recommends the following vaccines for adults:.
- Flu vaccine (annually)
- Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine (once every 10 years)
- Shingles vaccine (once after age 50)
- Pneumococcal vaccine (two doses after age 65)
- Hepatitis A and B vaccines (for at-risk adults)
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (for adults up to age 26)
The Importance of Herd Immunity
Herd immunity occurs when a large percentage of a community is vaccinated against a disease, making it less likely that the disease will spread.
This is important because not everyone can receive vaccines, such as newborns and people with certain medical conditions. When enough people in a community are vaccinated, the disease is less likely to spread, making it safer for those who cannot receive vaccines.
The goal of herd immunity is to create a “shield” around those who cannot get vaccinated. This is why it is important for as many people as possible to receive vaccines.
The Safety of Vaccines
There is a lot of misinformation and fear surrounding vaccines. This misinformation is often spread through social media and other online platforms. However, vaccines are extensively tested and monitored to ensure their safety.
Vaccines go through rigorous clinical trials and testing before they are approved for use by the general public.
The risks associated with vaccines are minimal. The most common side effects of vaccinations include soreness at the injection site, low-grade fever, and mild reactions. Serious side effects are extremely rare.
Conclusion
Vaccinations are critical for lifelong protection against diseases. By receiving regular vaccines, children and adults can avoid contracting dangerous illnesses and keep themselves and their communities healthy.
