Vaccination: An Essential Step Towards a Disease-Free World
An Overview of vaccination
A vaccine is medication introduced into a person’s body to prevent them from contracting life- threatening diseases. In other words, it uses the body’s natural defence mechanisms that resist certain infections and strengthens the immune system.
Vaccines contain weakened or killed germs like viruses or bacteria, and therefore there is lesser scope of risk or complications arising from such vaccinations. While some vaccinations are injected in the body, there are some which are administered orally or sprayed in the nose.
Vaccinations are like a protective shield that protects us from life-threatening illnesses like measles, meningitis, pneumonia, tetanus, polio, Shingles, cervical cancer, to name a few. It is imperative that we get vaccinated, as and when required, for our health and wellbeing.
8 REASONS FOR VACCINATION : A HEALTHIER LIFE
Protection: First and foremost, it protects us from serious illnesses that may lead to severe repercussions, including death. There may be a few diseases that have almost vanished, but their germs may still be circulating in some parts of the globe. It is common for infectious diseases to spread from one part of the globe to another easily. A very good example is the COVID-19 pandemic, which originated in China and rapidly spread worldwide. Therefore it is advisable to get vaccinated to reduce the effects of such diseases.
Health: Vaccinations are required periodically to combat infections that may appear from time to time. Timely vaccination protects us from illnesses like Shingles, flu, HPV and Hepatitis B. We need to get regular health check-ups done and ensure that our vaccinations are up-to-date. If there is cause for a new vaccination to be done for any prevalent illness, we should agree to the same.
No side effects: Vaccination has no major side effects, other than a slight fever or sore arm. These too disappear in a few days. So there is no need to fear any side effects for getting that vaccine shot.
Lifestyle: A healthy lifestyle is the most prominent part of our well-being. Healthy food habits, exercise, meditation, adequate liquid intake, and sound sleep, all contribute to a healthy you. In addition, of course, there are vaccinations, to be taken, so that we have a healthy life, free from illnesses that we can prevent from attacking us.
Prevention: Vaccination plays a great part in preventing serious illnesses that can prove fatal. It controls any vaccine-preventable infections thereby saving lives, which would otherwise succumb to such diseases. When we are vaccinated, we protect ourselves and our parents, children and community, who may/may not be vaccinated. There are minute chances of us spreading the germs and illness to others. This keeps everyone safe and protected.
Safe: All vaccines undergo vigorous safety measures and are rolled out only after all safety standards are met with. The Government bodies have a stringent approval process so that the vaccines are safe to be administered. Children and senior citizens or those with co-morbidities are most prone to infections, therefore it is prudent to get them vaccinated for vaccine-preventable diseases, over a period of time. The safety of the vaccines becomes of utmost importance in these cases.
Cost-effective: Vaccinations are cost-effective and a better bet than contracting infections that lead to high medical expenses and more recovery time. If you are vaccinated, then, even if you do contract an infection, it will be less threatening and the recovery period will be reduced.
Care: Vaccinations that are not administered for vaccination-preventable diseases lead to people falling ill missing out on work and being unable to care for their dependents. If you, being the sole breadwinner of the family, fall ill, and are unable to attend office, how will you care for your family? How will you manage the finances if you get a severed pay? Therefore, health first and then everything else.
If you are hale and hearty, it is simpler to navigate home and office and care for your family. As Ratan Tata had mentioned “if you fall sick, your office will not come to care for you”, so it is imperative to stay healthy.
Successful Eradication of Polio in India through Vaccination Drives
It has been observed that vaccination is a safe process and useful for the eradication of serious illnesses. The Pulse Polio vaccination drive, by the Government of India, for children under the age of five, met with considerable success. Film Star Amitabh Bachchan was one of the ambassadors promoting the pulse polio vaccination. The World Health Organization (WHO) has removed India from the list of countries with active endemic wild polio virus transmission w.e.f. 24 February 2012.
The Importance of Vaccination: Choose Wisely, Choose Life!
As they say, ‘it’s better to be safe than sorry. Awareness of vaccination-preventable diseases should be the need of the hour so that more and more people get vaccinated and thereby prevent themselves from contracting such illnesses. If you are standing on a cliff, with a ladder hanging nearby, will you go down the ladder safely or foolishly jump off the cliff? The choice is yours. You need to understand that your health is of utmost importance to you and your family and loved ones. So choose wise, chose life.
Ms Rupal Sonpal
Reviewed by: Dr. Darshit Patel