On this page, your questions about vaccinations will be answered.
What are vaccinations?
Vaccinations are a simple, safe, and effective way to protect the body from serious diseases before exposure to them. Vaccines work by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies that recognize and destroy disease-causing germs. Although vaccines may contain weakened or inactivated versions of germs, they do not cause disease or pose a risk of complications.
Vaccination is considered one of the greatest public health achievements worldwide, saving millions of lives each year. Vaccines protect against more than 20 life-threatening diseases, including measles, polio, hepatitis, and more. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), vaccines prevent between 3.5 to 5 million deaths annually.
What are the types of vaccines?
There are various types of vaccines, each designed to stimulate the immune system in different ways:
- Live-attenuated vaccines: Contain a weakened form of the germ.
- Inactivated vaccines: Contain germs that have been killed.
- Subunit vaccines: Use specific parts of the virus or bacteria, such as proteins, sugars, or outer membranes.
- Toxoid vaccines: Contain a modified bacterial toxin (toxoid) that has been inactivated, enabling the body to develop resistance to it.
- mRNA vaccines: Contain genetic instructions that prompt cells to produce a specific protein from the germ.
- Viral vector vaccines: Use a harmless virus to deliver genetic material into cells, instructing them to make a protein from the target germ.
What diseases do vaccines protect against?
Vaccines protect against many serious illnesses, including:
- Measles.
- Polio.
- Hepatitis B.
- Tetanus.
- Whooping cough (Pertussis).
- Yellow fever.
- Influenza.
- Rabies.
- Chickenpox (Varicella).
- Typhoid fever.
- Rubella (German measles).
- Meningococcal disease.
- Malaria (in trial use in some areas).
- COVID-19.
Common misconceptions about vaccines:
Vaccines are linked to autism:
There is no scientific evidence linking vaccines to autism or autism spectrum disorders. Numerous large-scale studies have confirmed this.
The study that initially raised concerns in 1998 about a possible connection between the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella) and autism was later found to be fraudulent and flawed. The article was retracted, and the physician’s medical license was revoked.
Unfortunately, this misinformation led to decreased vaccination rates and the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases in some countries.
Vaccines cause harmful side effects, illnesses, or even death:
Vaccines are extremely safe, despite claims found in anti-vaccine publications. The most common side effects are mild and temporary, such as arm pain or low-grade fever. Severe side effects are very rare, and when they do occur, they are thoroughly investigated to assess any link to vaccination.
Vaccines can cause illness:
It is incorrect to assume that most people who get sick were already vaccinated. In fact, vaccines are effective, even if some individuals become ill after vaccination.
Vaccines are not 100% effective, but they protect a large proportion of people. In the event of an outbreak, the number of vaccinated individuals who get sick is significantly lower than those who are unvaccinated.
It is recommended to consult a doctor in the following cases:
- Chronic illnesses or treatments (such as chemotherapy) that affect the immune system.
- Severe and life-threatening allergies to vaccine components.
- If you are experiencing extreme fatigue and a high fever on the day of vaccination.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are vaccines safe?
Yes. Vaccines undergo rigorous safety testing before approval. Common side effects are minor, such as redness or swelling at the injection site.
Do vaccines have side effects?
Like any medication, vaccines may cause mild side effects, such as a slight fever or pain at the injection site. These symptoms usually resolve on their own within a few days.
Can children receive multiple vaccines on the same day?
Yes. A child’s immune system can handle multiple vaccines at once safely and without negative effects.
