| By Barbara Wexler, MPH |
Immunization is a cornerstone of public health and preventive medicine. It’s the process by which people are protected from infectious disease through the administration of vaccines. Vaccines stimulate the body’s immune system to recognize and fight pathogens (disease-causing agents) such as viruses and bacteria without causing the disease itself. This preparation helps the immune system respond more effectively and rapidly when exposed to the actual pathogen in the future.
Immunization epitomizes the adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This phrase, attributed to Benjamin Franklin, highlights the significant benefits of preventing diseases rather than treating them after they occur. Immunization, through vaccines, plays a key role in preventing infectious diseases, saving millions of lives annually.
Vaccines typically contain weakened or inactive parts of a particular organism (known as an antigen) that triggers an immune response in the body. Newer vaccines contain the blueprint for producing antigens rather than the antigen itself. After vaccination, the immune system recognizes the vaccine components as foreign, produces antibodies, and activates other immune cells to fight these components; crucially, the immune system also remembers the disease and how to fight it when exposed to the same pathogen in the future.
mRNA vaccine technology represents a significant advance in medical science, offering rapid development and generating robust immune responses. The success of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 has paved the way for further research into vaccines for HIV and cancer, where the technology holds great promise in overcoming previous challenges and developing effective treatments.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following immunizations for children and adults:
For children:
- Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP)
- Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
- Polio (IPV)
- Haemophilus Influenzae Type b (Hib)
- Hepatitis B
- Varicella (Chickenpox)
- Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV)
- Rotavirus
- COVID-19
For adults:
- Influenza (annually)
- Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap)
- Shingles (Herpes Zoster)
- Pneumococcal and Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for those 65 and older or with certain health conditions
- Hepatitis A and B (for those at risk)
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) (for those up to age 26 and some people ages 27–45)
- Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) (if not previously vaccinated)
- COVID-19
The benefits of immunization include:
- Prevention of Disease: Vaccines have eradicated smallpox and drastically reduced the incidence of polio, measles, diphtheria, and other infectious diseases.
- Herd Immunity: When a large portion of a community is immunized, it provides indirect protection to those who are not immune, reducing the spread of contagious diseases.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Preventing disease through vaccination is more cost-effective than treating diseases.
- Protection of Future Generations: Immunization has reduced, and in some cases eliminated, many diseases that killed or severely disabled people just a few generations ago.
While vaccines are generally safe, like any medical intervention, they do have some risks:
- Mild Side Effects: Most vaccines can cause mild reactions, such as soreness at the injection site, low-grade fever, or a mild rash.
- Severe Reactions: Rarely, vaccines can cause serious allergic reactions or other severe side effects. However, the risk of severe complications from vaccines is much lower than the risk of severe complications from the diseases they prevent.
Misinformation about the safety and efficacy of immunization and the politicization of vaccine policies have significantly reduced vaccine uptake and have undermined public health efforts. Myths about vaccines causing autism or other severe side effects, despite being debunked by extensive research, continue to circulate and gain traction through social media and other platforms. This misinformation leads to vaccine hesitancy and refusal, reducing vaccination rates.
Political disagreement and debates about vaccine mandates and public health policies also contribute to the problem. When vaccination becomes a polarizing political issue, it distracts from the scientific evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of vaccines.
The recent decline in vaccination rates has led to the resurgence of preventable diseases such as measles. Once nearly eliminated in many parts of the world, measles outbreaks have happened in recent years in communities with low vaccination coverage. These outbreaks can have severe consequences, including long-term health complications and even death.
Immunization protects individuals and communities from infectious diseases, saves lives, and reduces healthcare costs. Combating misinformation and depoliticizing vaccine policies are essential to ensure high vaccination coverage and prevent the resurgence of deadly diseases.
For more information, please see these portals in the Gale Health and Wellness database:
