COVID-19 has made a very big impact on all of us over the past several years, but now more than ever people are asking questions about immunizations and vaccinations. Below you will find a list of common questions and easy to understand answers.
Questions 1 - Is a vaccine the same as an immunization?
Well, sort of. We often use the terms interchangeably, but they do have subtle differences. Per CDC definitions:
Vaccination: the act of introducing a vaccine into the body.
Immunization: A process by which a person becomes protected against a disease through vaccination. This term is often used interchangeably with vaccination or inoculation.
Question 2 - What is a vaccine?
In general, a vaccine contains a modified version of whatever bacteria or virus is trying to be prevented. A vaccine can be defined as a substance used to stimulate production of antibodies, which are proteins produced by your immune system that fight against a disease or illness. Vaccines are usually an injection that includes the same germs that cause the disease. However, these germs can’t given you the disease, but instead have been weakened or cut in pieces to only contain part of the germs.
Because the vaccine stimulates your immune system just as the actual disease would, you develop immunity against the disease without suffering from the illness. Some vaccines don’t entirely prevent you from getting the illness but significantly reduce the severity of the illness, with the goal of preventing hospitalization or death.
Question 3 - What is the mechanism of vaccines?
Vaccines work by launching your immune system into action to create antibodies against a specific disease without actual exposure to the disease. Your body then remembers the disease and can defend against it in the future.
To learn more about various vaccines and how they work, we recommend visiting the CDC.
Question 4 - Why do certain vaccines, like the flu shot, change annually?
Illnesses like Influenza evolve rapidly, requiring the vaccine to be updated yearly. Minor mutations or small chages in a virus can make the antibodies produced by a previous infection or vaccination fail to recognize the new virus strain. By modifying and updating the vaccine each year to match the most common strains that year, the vaccine will give you the most protestion against illness that year.
Question 5 - Are vaccines safe?
Vaccines must go through rigorous testing to ensure they are safe. As the CDC explains it: Before a vaccine is ever given to people, the FDA oversees extensive lab testing of the vaccine. This step can take several years to make sure the vaccine is safe and effective. After lab testing, testing in people begins. It can take several more years before all clinical testing and varification of safety is complete and the vaccine is licensed to use on the general population.
Once a vaccine is licensed, the FDA, CDC, National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other federal agencies routinely monitor its use and investigate any potential safety concerns.
Question 6 - Do vaccines have side effects?
Yes, some vaccinations may result in mild side effects. Typical side effects include inflammation and redness at the injection site, and muscle soreness which is due to inflammation caused by your body starting an immune response.
Remember, the vaccine undergoes thorough testing before it's made available to the public, meaning scientists gather data, not only on the vaccine’s safety, but also about all its potential side effects. Severe long term side effects are exceedingly rare.
The CDC provides a list of common and rare side effects associated with different vaccines, along with information on how to manage them. If you experience any severe reactions or have concerns about potential side effects, consult your healthcare provider immediately.
The benefits of vaccines far outweigh the potential for minor side effects. It's important to remember that while mild side effects may occur after receiving a vaccine, they are minimal compared to the potential risks and complications of contracting a preventable disease. Vaccines not only protect individuals but also contribute to the greater good by preventing outbreaks and reducing the spread of diseases throughout communities.
Stay Informed
To stay informed about vaccine safety and recommendations, we recommend regularly checking reputable sources such as the CDC and consulting with your healthcare provider. By staying up-to-date on vaccinations, we can continue to protect ourselves and those around us from preventable diseases. Let's work together to keep our communities safe and healthy. So don't hesitate to get vaccinated and do your part in promoting public health! Remember, prevention is always better than cure.