If there will ever be the 8th wonder of the world, it might just be vaccines. In the last few decades, vaccines have proven to be one of the most important things that happened to mankind. They have been an effective tool in the fight against infectious diseases, saving millions of lives every year across the world. By offering significant protection against otherwise deadly diseases, these substances have indeed proven to be the cornerstone of healthcare, both at individual and collective levels.
What are Vaccines and How do they work?
Vaccines are medical substances that protect against specific infectious diseases. They work by stimulating the body’s immune system to identify and eliminate disease-causing entities (pathogens). They typically contain weakened or inactive parts of the pathogen or its genetic makeup, which contains instructions that teach the body how to respond to it without causing the actual disease. When you receive a vaccine, your immune system marks it as a foreign entity and threat. Consequently, it produces antibodies to eliminate it. This trains the immune system to recognize and respond adequately if exposed to the actual pathogen in the near future. This entire process is known as immunity, and it helps protect against diseases or reduce their severity.
Impact of Vaccines on Disease Prevention
Vaccines have been a game changer in mankind’s fight against infectious diseases. Smallpox, for example, was once a deadly disease that claimed a lot of lives. However, thanks to vaccination, the disease was eradicated globally, following a successful smallpox vaccination campaign. Another devastating disease, polio has also been eradicated in many parts of the world since the introduction of vaccines.
Other diseases such as measles, diphtheria and tetanus have also declined significantly due to vaccination. With the development of more recent vaccines against diseases such as malaria and cervical cancer, it is safe to assume that we are a step closer to ending these diseases. It is interesting to know that vaccines do not only confer individuals alone but also confer herd immunity. This means that diseases cannot easily spread in a population with a significant proportion of vaccinated individuals because even the unvaccinated ones (like children and the elderly) are protected.
Challenges to Vaccination?
Despite its proven effectiveness, a lot of factors still undermine the effectiveness of vaccination efforts. This includes inadequate awareness as well as poor access. At the individual level, many are vaccine hesitant as a result of unfounded myths and misinformation about vaccines. These factors result in lower vaccine uptakes and consequently promote the outbreak of several preventable diseases.
A Word From HealthFacts to You
Know that vaccines are safe and effective. They have been tested and shown to be a powerful tool in the prevention of many infectious diseases. So embrace vaccination today, if you haven’t. Join the fight against existing and emerging infectious diseases. Disregard the myths and only consult your healthcare professional to for answers to any question you may have concerning vaccines.
Remember to subscribe to our newsletter for more updates from us.
