Vaccinations are a highly effective form of preventative medicine that have saved millions of lives and continue to protect us from a wide range of diseases. Vaccines provide immunity against diseases by introducing a weakened or killed form of the virus, bacteria, or other pathogen that causes the disease. This exposure stimulates the body’s immune system to recognize the pathogen and build up immunity to it, without actually causing the disease.
Vaccines can protect against a variety of diseases, such as the flu, measles, mumps, rubella, polio, pertussis (whooping cough), varicella (chickenpox), hepatitis B, and rotavirus. Vaccines have also been developed to protect against diseases like human papillomavirus (HPV), diphtheria, tetanus, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), pneumococcal disease, and meningococcal disease. Since the introduction of the first vaccine in the late 1700s, many of these diseases have been nearly eradicated in some parts of the world.
In addition to these diseases, researchers continue to develop new vaccines to protect against a variety of other conditions, such as malaria, Zika virus, Ebola, and HIV. While some of these vaccines have yet to be approved for use, others are currently in clinical trials and may soon be widely available.
Overall, vaccines are a powerful tool for preventing many illnesses and promoting public health. By getting vaccinated, individuals can protect themselves and their communities from a variety of diseases.