Vaccines

In this Article (Index)

• The Positive Effects of Vaccination
• What are Vaccines?
• Benefits of vaccination
• Take Home Points

The Positive Effects of Vaccination

Vaccines and clean water are the two sanitary strategies that have saved most lives in the history of mankind.

Vaccines have saved millions of lives in Europe and around the world. Generalized vaccination has helped rid us of smallpox globally and polio in Europe and the Americas. It has made some diseases that were common in the past, very rare.

Vaccination protects people from serious illnesses, even death, caused by diseases that can be avoided through vaccination. It also stops the spread of these diseases to our family members, friends, work colleagues, schoolmates, and the community.

Vaccination is one of the most profitable public health interventions because it avoids the costs of treating and caring for sick people. (1)

When people in a population have been vaccinated against a contagious disease, it makes it less likely that it will spread. This creates protection against the outbreak of diseases, and when enough people have been immunized, a "collective immunity" or "herd immunity" is attained. This way not only those who were vaccinated are protected, but also, indirectly, those who are most vulnerable to disease. (2),(3)

Small children, the elderly, people with a weak immune system, cancer patients, and those who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons (4) are at risk when diseases start spreading in their communities, so getting vaccinated can help protect them.

What are vaccines?

Vaccines are compounds derived from viruses or bacteria, prepared in such a way that, when applied, they produce a protective immune response in our bodies. This effect is obtained through the production of antibodies that protect us against the diseases produced by those microorganisms.

How are vaccines made?

Vaccines are produced using attenuated viruses or dead germs, that have been inactivated, or using parts of these microbes through genetic engineering or other methods.

What happens when we are vaccinated?

It causes an immune reaction that generates specific antibodies (defenses) against the microorganism that we have been vaccinated against. This way, when we come across this virus or bacteria our body will recognize it and prevent infection, or make the disease less severe.

Why get vaccinated?

The main goal of vaccination is to protect the vaccinated person against diseases. But it isn't the only one, another very important objective is the indirect protection of other people. If we all get vaccinated, the circulation of viruses and bacteria is interrupted and it protects the rest of the population indirectly. This effect has been demonstrated in countries that implemented massive vaccination as part of their public health programs. (5)

Therefore, we should consider that vaccination is an act of individual protection with an important collective and social impact.

What are vaccines' greatest achievements?

There have been many successes, especially in the last 50 years. Smallpox was eradicated, and we are a step away from eradicating polio. The Americas have eliminated rubella and measles, and many diseases have been controlled.

These important achievements compel us to double down and continue working with the ultimate goal of reducing the burden of preventable diseases through vaccination, and reducing the morbidity and mortality they cause.

Benefits of Vaccines

They save lives every year; they help fight diseases, allowing us to control, eliminate, and even eradicate them.

Getting vaccinated is an act of solidarity, it protects you and everyone. (6)

Vaccination is important throughout your life, it doesn't end in childhood. (7)

It avoids the complications of communicable diseases and some types of cancer,

It provides social and economic benefits. (8)

It is a basic right of citizens

It is part of a healthy lifestyle.

Vaccines are safe.