Vaccination in Simple Words: No Big Words to Remember
Dr. Nancy Qusba M.D. is a top Emergency Physician in Downers Grove, IL. With a passion for the field and an unwavering commitment to their specialty, Dr. Nancy Qusba M.D. is an expert in changing the lives of their patients for the better. Through their designated cause and expertise in the field, Dr. Nancy Qusba M.D. is... more
An antigen is an intruder or attacker that causes illnesses such as a virus or bacterial parasite. An antibody is a defense that protects and fights for us, including WBCs, T-Cells, and B-Cells. If the body suddenly encounters an unknown germ for the first time with no warning, there is no time for our immune system to organize, defend itself, or use fighting tools like macrophages, T-Cells, or B-Cells. The entire process of protection can fail which results in disease or death such as in the Coronavirus.
A vaccine is a simple answer. Human beings have benefited from vaccines for more than two centuries. It protects us from a disease from the day we took our first breath on Earth. Some people believe that immunity from having the disease is better than the immunity provided by vaccines. However, the disease can cause severe complications and can be deadly as it just proved.
Vaccines, like any medication, can cause minor symptoms, such as fever, aches, pains, and fatigue as the body builds immunity. This rarely causes a serious illness. When the immune process is complete, the body is left with a supply of good soldiers like memory T-lymphocytes or B-lymphocytes that will remember how to fight the disease in the future. However, it typically takes a few weeks for the body to produce a well-organized defense after vaccination.
Vaccines contain the same germs that cause diseases. The measles vaccine contains the measles virus, and the Hib vaccine contains the Hib bacteria. Viruses are either killed or weakened to the point that they don’t make us sick. Some vaccines contain only a part of the disease germ.
Today, there are five main types of vaccines that infants and young children commonly receive in the US:
- Live, attenuated (weakened) vaccines fight viruses and bacteria. The first dose does not provide as much immunity, the second dose in 6 weeks is needed to boost the immune system.
- Inactivated vaccines (killed vaccine) are given to those with weakened immune systems or those who are undergoing chemotherapy and cannot receive live vaccines.
- Toxoid vaccines prevent diseases caused by bacteria that produce toxins. Toxins are weakened before being used so they cannot cause illness, this includes Tetanus and Diphtheria.
- Conjugate vaccines with an outer coating like sugar (polysaccharide), the immune system responds very well to.
- Using just one part of the virus is another type. Part of the virus is removed and then used as a vaccine. In the case of flu vaccines, adults need to get a dose every year.
