Vaccines not only protect the person they are given to, but also the population at large, since they work to reduce the general prevalence of once-common infections. A vaccine, or immunization, is given to children and adults to trigger their immune system to produce antibodies to fight against a certain infection or virus. These antibodies then help to protect them in the future against infectious microorganisms like bacteria and viruses.
How does a vaccine work?
Bacteria and viruses carry identifying markers called “antigens”. Antigens are like fingerprints, in that they are unique to the infectious microorganism that possesses them. Different varieties or strains of a virus or bacteria will have their own identifying antigens. If your body’s immune system is able to recognize these highly specific antigens as threatening, then it will respond accordingly – protecting you from illness.
The immune system response actually consists of two parts. First, your immune system will activate an assault on the bacteria or virus. It may take days or weeks to fight off, during which time you may experience the symptoms of illness like fever or sore throat. Once the immune system gains the upper hand in the battle, you will begin to feel better. Secondly, the immune system creates a memory of the antigen, better preparing itself to fight off the bacteria or virus in the future. In most cases, this memory is so effective, and the immune system response so efficient, that you will not experience symptoms of illness or realize that you’ve been exposed again. This effective memory response is what we consider “immunity”.
The concept behind vaccinations is to stimulate the memory response, and immunity, without having to experience an actual illness. To be effective, vaccines must contain at least one antigen from the bacteria or virus in order to create the memory, but they have been designed to “fool the system” and contain such a small component of the microorganism, that it’s not enough to cause illness.
Now, consider influenza (flu). A flu vaccination is recommended each year. This is because different strains of influenza infect humans each season. Being immune to last year’s flu strain will be of little use when next year’s strains come around. Currently, 141 national influenza centers in 111 countries conduct year-round surveillance for influenza and study influenza disease trends. The influenza viruses selected for inclusion in the seasonal flu vaccines are updated each year based on which influenza virus strains are circulating, how they are spreading, and how well current vaccine strains protect against newly identified strains.
The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year. Also, good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu. At Norwood Hospital, all staff are required to get an annual flu vaccine, or to wear a mask in patient areas if not yet inoculated.
Overall vaccines recommended for children and adults living in the United States include: diphtheria; mumps; haemophilus influenza type b; pertussis (whooping cough); hepatitis A; hepatitis B; pneumococcus; polio; human papillomavirus; rotavirus; influenza;, rubella (German measles); measles; tetanus; meningococcus (meningitis); varicella (chicken pox); and herpes zoster (shingles).
You should consult with your primary care physician or pediatrician to ensure that you are up to date on your immunizations, to schedule your annual flu vaccination, or to ask more questions about inoculation.
*Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov
*Source: American Academy of Family Physicians, www.familydoctor.org
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