What are vaccines?

Vaccines are a series of biological products that are composed of a set of inactive or weakened microorganisms. These microorganisms are injected into the body as a preventative measure for infectious diseases and allergies. There are different types of vaccines and each one is designed to show the immune system how to fight against specific viruses.

Once the vaccine is introduced into the body, it recreates the disease without allowing an infection to take hold. Vaccines stimulate the immune system to develop defences that will act against specific germs or viruses should the body one day come into contact with them.

Why are vaccines created?

Vaccines are created for several important reasons:

Disease prevention: The primary purpose of vaccines is to prevent or reduce the spread of infectious diseases. They are designed to stimulate the immune system to recognise and defend against specific pathogens (bacteria or viruses) that cause diseases. By doing so, vaccines help protect individuals from getting sick and also contribute to herd immunity, reducing the overall transmission of the disease within a community.

Public health: Vaccines play a crucial role in public health by controlling and even eradicating deadly diseases. Vaccination programs have been instrumental in eliminating or significantly reducing the prevalence of many infectious diseases, such as smallpox, polio, and measles.

Reducing morbidity and mortality: Vaccines save lives by preventing severe illness, complications, and death caused by infectious diseases. They are particularly important for vulnerable populations, including infants, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems who may be at higher risk of developing serious complications from infections.

Economic benefits: Vaccination can result in substantial economic benefits. By preventing diseases, vaccines reduce healthcare costs associated with treating sick individuals and can prevent productivity losses due to illness. They also contribute to the overall stability and growth of economies by keeping people healthy and productive.

International travel and trade: Vaccines are often required for international travel to protect travellers from diseases that may be prevalent in other parts of the world. This helps prevent the spread of diseases across borders and facilitates global trade and tourism.

Research and innovation: The development of vaccines requires ongoing scientific research and innovation. This research not only advances our understanding of immunology but also contributes to the development of new technologies and treatments that can have broader applications in medicine.

Preparedness for emerging threats: Vaccines can be developed and deployed rapidly in response to emerging infectious diseases, bioterrorism threats, or pandemics. They serve as a crucial tool in public health emergencies.

What does receiving a vaccine consist of?

The vaccine is introduced into the body by means of injection and the immune system prepares defences to repel the disease by recreating the disease without allowing the body to become infected. With many vaccines, there are multiple injections needed over a period of time.

Vaccine preparation

No special preparation is required from the recipient of the vaccine. The specialist giving the vaccine will check the recipient’s medical history and any medications they've recently taken, as well as potentially checking their diet.

Care after a vaccine

Once vaccinated, the specialist will cover the injected area with cotton and press on it gently for a minute. In some cases, you may need to stay in a waiting area for at least half an hour in case there is any type of reaction.

Vaccines can have adverse effects, such as fever, pain and swelling. However, this is not common and there are treatments for these scenarios.