Why Are Immunizations Important?

Immunizations can prevent the contraction and spread of infections that have the potential to negatively impact your health and the health of those around you. In that way, immunizations play a critical role in individual and public health and allow for improved conditions for all. Understanding the role immunizations play in public health is necessary to protect it, which is why we address the question, “Why are immunizations important?” Below, you will find helpful information for navigating your immunizations.

Why Are Immunizations Important?

An immunization, often used interchangeably with vaccination, stimulates your body’s natural defense mechanism and essentially prepares your body’s immune system to fight off certain infections. When you get a vaccination for a particular virus, your doctor will administer a weakened or inactive version of the virus so your body triggers an immune response. Specifically, it will lead your immune system to create antibodies that will protect you in the event you are exposed to the live, uncontrolled version of that virus at a later time. Vaccinations are often given in the form of an injection into the skin, but they can also be orally or nasally administered.

Immunizations are a tool that trains your body to identify viral and bacterial dangers and protect you from them. Getting vaccinated can prevent infections that cause serious health complications, such as illness, disability, and death. Consider the following reasons why immunizations are important.

Protects Your Health

Immunizations protect you from serious illnesses and reduce your chance of incurring serious complications caused by vaccine-preventable diseases. Complications that vaccine-preventable diseases cause can include brain damage, disability, heart irregularities, sensory issues, and other long-term health problems. 

Improves Widespread Immunity

Widespread vaccinations make it much harder for certain diseases to spread. When a substantial part of the population is vaccinated, the virus or bacteria has fewer host bodies it can infect and survive on; thereby, the effects of that disease are diminished. Fewer spread illnesses benefit everyone, as any can be affected by them, but it is especially beneficial for those with compromised immune systems or those with medical conditions that keep them from being vaccinated.

Reduces Healthcare Costs

Getting vaccinated means a greater likelihood of staying healthy, which in turn reduces the impact on healthcare systems. In fact, research has shown that vaccines save millions of lives globally every year and reduce patient days spent in-hospital by more than half. Fewer in-hospital days mean fewer funds spent on the labor, medication, and equipment needed to treat those patients.

Even beyond the overt financial benefits of immunization, there is the bonus that less impacted hospitals mean happier nurses and doctors. When our healthcare professionals no longer feel the burden of overcrowded hospitals and never-ending work, they face less burnout and can provide more exceptional care. Immunization then has medical and financial benefits as well as medical ones.

Safe and Effective Treatment

Some people are concerned about the safety of immunizations. It is vital to make educated, well-researched decisions about your health and healthcare practices. By researching immunizations and speaking to qualified medical professionals, you can gather the knowledge required to make an informed decision.

Research has shown that immunizations are safe and effective. They undergo rigorous testing before they are approved for use. If you have any questions, talk with Abilene doctors. They can provide you with evidence-based information about the safety of immunizations.

Candidates for Vaccinations

There are several immunizations that can ensure you are protected from harmful diseases. Common vaccines include those that treat measles, polio, hepatitis B, human papillomavirus “HPV), and influenza. Consult with your doctor about which immunizations you are eligible for. They can assess your health history to determine which vaccines you should take.

Children and Teens

Children are provided immunizations according to a specialized schedule based on their age. Some of the immunizations this schedule includes are those which target measles, mumps, and whooping cough. Getting protection against these illnesses early on in life can benefit the child, both at present and in the future, as well as the larger community. This immunization schedule continues through a person’s teenage years. Specifically, teens can benefit from meningitis and HPV vaccines. These can reduce the risk of infections that cause cancer and other harmful illnesses.

Adults

A person’s immune system and lifestyle change as they grow, so there are some vaccinations suitable for adults that health professionals do not recommend for younger people. That said, in addition to several new immunizations adults should get, a number of adolescent immunizations would benefit from a booster when a person becomes an adult.

Standard vaccinations for adults include the shingles vaccine and flu and tetanus boosters.

The most critical measure to take is to talk with your medical provider about your risk for certain illnesses. They can discuss your risk and determine which vaccines are right for you.

People Traveling

Traveling is a great way to spend your free time and build new memories. Before you travel, be sure to consult with your doctor about where you are headed. They can advise you on which vaccines you need based on where you are traveling. In fact, some countries will only allow you to enter their borders with proof of vaccination for certain illnesses. Common immunizations for those who are traveling include yellow fever and typhoid vaccinations. Speak with your doctor well in advance of your trip, as some immunizations take time to go into full effect. 

Abilene Doctors

If you are not current on your immunizations, schedule an appointment with West Texas Health today!