Vaccines were created to give people immunity to specific diseases. It helps trigger the human’s immune response to combat and become familiar with particular infectious diseases. Vaccines are made either with the killed or weakened types of disease-causing bacteria. Most medical practitioners recommend vaccines because they help make the human body more potent and resistant.
You can rest assured that vaccines are safe as they go through rigorous trials before production. Others may experience some side effects like soreness, headaches, mild fever, swelling, fatigue, etc. However, some may experience injuries caused by a misplaced vaccine when the assigned nurse does not do their job correctly. Such circumstances may even lead to a lawsuit and other legal actions.
As for the side effects, these are normal because the human’s immune system is to meet something foreign. Thus, the immune system will automatically respond to it, and soon the body will become familiar with it and tolerate its effects. Vaccines may be invented for the betterment of every human being, but they also have their risks. If you’re unsure of taking one, consider looking through the benefits and risks listed below to guide your decision.
Vaccine Benefits
1. Vaccination Reduces The Chance Of Getting Infected
Vaccines are solely made for fighting pathogens. Getting vaccinated will guarantee people a less probability of getting infected because their bodies will build a tolerance against the virus that might enter their bodies. That is why babies or newborns are encouraged to be vaccinated with, for example – Hepatitis B, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, etc., to enhance their immune systems.
But, of course, people need to understand also that getting vaccinated would not mean they would never be infected anymore. You may still get infected but have lesser signs and symptoms of the disease. It all depends on how your immune system will fight against the disease.
2. Vaccination Protects The Community
Living in an environment where people are considered healthy and protected can also help one become safe and well. Imagine a whole community getting vaccinated; this would only mean the community is also a safe habitat for younger and older people. As we all know, people’s health deteriorates as they age, so vaccines are a great way to keep everyone safe and healthy.
Like when a rotten tomato is put together with healthy tomatoes, the rotten potato will soon affect the healthy ones. The same applies to infected people living with healthy people. Even if only one was left unvaccinated, if that specific person got infected, it might soon get everyone else infected. An infectious disease is less likely to spread when a sufficient number of persons are immune to it. In this way, vaccinations help those who are susceptible to illness.
Vaccine Risks
1. They May Cause Bad Side Effects
Since vaccines will introduce new weakened bacteria to the body, it is normal for some to experience some side effects after getting vaccinated. Side effects might include chills, mild fever, soreness, headaches, fatigue, trouble moving arms, muscle aches, etc. These can be considered risks because some may not be able to tolerate these side effects and might affect their daily lives more compared to others.
Aside from that, people’s pain tolerance varies depending on the person. The abovementioned side effects might be usual to others, while to some, it would costly affect their health and overall well-being. But rest assured that these side effects are only temporary and can be solved by drinking medicine appropriate to the side effects one feels. Resting can also help alleviate the pain and discomfort some people might experience.
2. Vaccines May Cause Other Diseases
Some vaccines, like the live, attenuated virus vaccines, are not advisable to use for those severely immunocompromised, pregnant people, or those who are receiving treatments for HIV or doing chemotherapy. That is because these vaccines might cause harm or virulence, leading to other diseases. There is a chance that the pathogen will develop and spread illness. As for pregnant people, live vaccines are also not recommended, for they might cause harm to the fetus.
Although live vaccines are statistically more effective than inactive vaccines because they have higher immunogenicity than the latter, their effects are considered more substantial. Despite that, some countries still use live vaccines for diseases like rotavirus, measles, mumps, etc. That is because they are effective teachers of the immune system and are the most similar to a natural infection. But risks for such vaccines are more likely to happen to those with a weakened immune system.
Conclusion
People have different views about vaccines; to some, it is a protection, while for others, it is dangerous. Nonetheless, vaccines are made to help people fight and end diseases. Depending on the person’s body disposition, there is suitable kind of vaccines that are recommended for them. People need to believe in the power of science and how it will help them in the long run. After all, vaccines only strive to make the world healthier and safer for everyone and the next generations.
Nina Burkovskaya is a senior content writer at Raisetwice since 2020. She has 12 years of yoga experience and 5 years experience of motivational coaching. On a free time loves to read biographies of the famous people and go for a walk with her dog.