What Are Immunizations and Vaccinations?
Immunizations and Vaccinations are vital public health tools that help protect individuals and communities from infectious diseases. Immunization refers to the process of making a person immune or resistant to a disease, typically through the introduction of a vaccine. Vaccines contain small amounts of the germ or virus that causes the disease, but it is either killed, weakened, or a part of the germ that cannot cause illness. This exposure triggers the immune system to recognize the germ and remember how to fight it in the future. Vaccines are usually administered through injections, though some may be given orally or as nasal sprays, depending on the type and the disease being targeted.
The primary function of Vaccines is to prepare the immune system to Fight off specific infections. When a person is vaccinated, their body produces antibodies and memory cells that 'remember' how to defend against that particular pathogen. If the person encounters the disease later, the immune system can act more rapidly and efficiently, often preventing illness or significantly reducing its severity. Vaccination not only protects the individual but also contributes to herd immunity, where a high percentage of the population is immune, thereby reducing the spread of the disease and protecting vulnerable individuals who may not be able to receive vaccinations themselves, such as those with weakened immune systems or allergies.
