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The COVID-19 pandemic has proven to us the importance of vaccinations. Globally, the effects of the pandemic called for scientists to develop a stable vaccine that would be used to reduce the rate of infections and fatalities from the virus.

It has been a successful endeavor for most as their vaccines have proven to be efficient and effective. The outcomes of the vaccines have been a decline in COVID-19 fatalities and cases in the country. To say the least, we are headed in the right direction towards herd immunity.

 

Before we get into the importance of vaccinations, let us start by understanding the basics of vaccines. What are they? How and what led to their discovery? And most importantly, how do they work to boost your immunity?

What is A Vaccine?

A vaccine (n) is a substance that is used to build our body’s natural immunity to a disease before getting infected with the disease.

Vaccine History

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The smallpox vaccine was the first successful vaccine introduced in 1796 by Edward Jenner. Smallpox was a deadly illness as it killed 300 to 500 million people around the world in the last century. After the administration of the vaccine, the disease was eventually eradicated. Smallpox is considered the only disease to be completely destroyed.

Concept of Immunity

Vaccines are prepared from a disease’s causative agent, a synthetic substitute or its product which is treated to act as an antigen minus the disease. They stimulate the production of antibodies and provide immunity against one or more diseases. Depending on the vaccine, antibodies stay in your body for a long time.

Some illnesses such as flu viruses are fairly mild strains, however, some like polio or smallpox could cause life altering changes or death. Hence it is important to understand the importance of vaccinations.

Importance of Vaccinations

  • Vaccines will Keep You Healthy

Your health is a priority as without health we cannot do much. Getting vaccinated ensures that you stay healthy especially against vaccine-preventable diseases. Diseases like measles, influenza and whooping cough are still a threat. They have led to hospitalizations and even death. Vaccines are therefore important for your overall health.

  • A Vaccination Could Be the Difference Between Life and Death

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 50,000 adults died from vaccine preventable diseases in the US annually. The devastating loss of life from the COVID-19 pandemic is evidence that a vaccine could be the difference between life and death. On that note, consider getting vaccinated ?

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  • Vaccines are Safe

The approval process for vaccines in the US ensures that vaccines are licensed and safe for use. Although there could be some potential side affects associated with vaccines, there are mostly uncommon. Furthermore, the effects are less severe than the disease the vaccine is preventing.

  • Vaccine Preventable Diseases Are Quite Expensive

The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases states that vaccine preventable diseases carry a high price tag exceeding $10 billion annually. An adult with Hepatitis A could miss work for a month, this means that their livelihood is affected and the pressure could be on their family to cater for the medical and personal bills.

  • Getting Vaccinated Reduces the Risk of Infecting Others

Vulnerable children, infants, people with underlying disease and older adults could be at risk of infection if you do not get vaccinated and interact with them often. To protect them and keep them healthy, it is important to get vaccinated.

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Finally, we urge you to get the COVID-19 vaccine so that we can achieve herd immunity and resume our normal lives ?

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