Vaccination is the act and the result of vaccination. This action refers to the application of a vaccine: an antigen that, when inoculated into a subject, protects him against certain diseases.
Vaccination, therefore, is the process that allows the application of a vaccine to a person. It is usually part of campaigns or programs promoted by the State to preserve public health. Hospitals, first aid rooms and other health centers are usually the spaces where vaccination is carried out. Normally, vaccinations are administered by nurses. When referring to the different types of vaccines that exist, we can establish that it is very common to speak of four large groups:
-Toxoids, which as their name indicates, have the peculiarity of containing a toxin from a virus or bacteria.
– Live viruses, which use the weakened form of the virus in question.
-Biosynthetics, which contain artificial substances.
-The inactive, which are formed by small fragments of a virus or bacteria.
The first vaccine was developed at the end of the 18th century and made it possible to protect the population from smallpox. Vaccination campaigns against rabies, tuberculosis, rubella, hepatitis, chickenpox and other diseases were then carried out. Most countries have a vaccination schedule, designed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. In this way, it is established that children receive the vaccines at a certain age and, from there, it indicates when they should receive reinforcements. The age of those vaccinated should be defined according to the ability of the immune system to react to artificial immunization. Later, reinforcements help increase protection. It is important to note that the vaccination schedule generally establishes mandatory vaccinations: parents who do not have their children vaccinated on the schedule are making a mistake. This is because the authorities understand that, by not allowing the application of vaccines to their children, they put their health at risk. It is important that, in addition to what has already been indicated, other relevant aspects of vaccines and vaccination in general are taken into account:
-The vaccination calendar is always updated every twelve months.
-People who are going to travel to countries other than the continent in which they live, it is important that they are informed in advance about the type of vaccines they must take.
-Thanks to vaccines certain diseases, which in the past were a real evil for society, are now rare.
-There are many groups of parents who are absolutely against vaccinating their children, considering that they are subject to a wide variety of consequences that this process entails. However, the health authorities establish that it is more dangerous not to vaccinate them and that the benefits of this action are much greater than the risks.
– It is important that pregnant women consult their doctors before injecting a vaccine, as it can cause serious harm to their babies.
