Vaccinate

Vaccination is a biological preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a particular infectious disease. A vaccine typically contains an agent that resembles a disease-causing microorganism and is often made from weakened or killed forms of the microbe, its toxins, or one of its surface proteins. The agent stimulates the body's immune system to recognize the agent as a threat, destroy it, and to further recognize and destroy any of the microorganisms associated with that agent that it may encounter in the future.

History

The practice of vaccination was first popularized by Edward Jenner, a British physician in the late 18th century. Jenner discovered that milkmaids who had contracted cowpox, a disease similar to smallpox, seemed to be immune to the more severe infection. He hypothesized that exposure to cowpox protected against smallpox and tested this theory by injecting a boy with cowpox pus. The boy developed a mild fever and some discomfort, but did not become seriously ill. When Jenner later exposed the boy to smallpox, he did not get sick.

Types of Vaccines

There are several different types of vaccines. Each type is designed to teach your immune system how to fight off certain kinds of germs — and the serious diseases they cause.

• Live-attenuated vaccines fight viruses and bacteria. These vaccines contain a version of the living virus or bacteria that has been weakened so that it does not cause serious disease in people with healthy immune systems.
• Inactivated vaccines also fight viruses and bacteria. These vaccines are made from the virus or bacteria that has been killed or parts of the virus or bacteria.
• Subunit, recombinant, polysaccharide, and conjugate vaccines use specific pieces of the virus or bacteria — like its protein, sugar, or capsid (a casing around the virus).
• Toxoid vaccines prevent diseases caused by bacteria that produce toxins (poisons) in the body. In the process of making these vaccines, the toxins are weakened so they cannot cause illness.

Importance of Vaccination

Vaccination is a critical tool in preventing infectious diseases. It not only protects the individual who is vaccinated, but also helps to prevent the spread of diseases within communities, particularly among those who cannot be vaccinated, such as infants and people with certain health conditions. This concept is known as herd immunity.

Controversies

Despite the proven effectiveness and importance of vaccination, there have been controversies surrounding its use. These controversies often stem from misinformation or misunderstanding about the science and safety of vaccines. It is important to consult reliable sources and healthcare professionals for accurate information about vaccination.

See Also

• Immunization
• Herd immunity
• Edward Jenner
• Smallpox
• Cowpox