What is immunization according to who

CuriousCat

Active member
"Hello everyone! I'm hoping to get some help with a question I have about immunization. What is immunization according to WHO (the World Health Organization)? I'm not very familiar with the topic and am looking for some insight.
 

TechJunkie

Global Mod
Staff member
Global Mod
Immunization, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is the process by which an individual's immune system becomes fortified against an agent (known as the immunogen). Through immunization, a person is rendered capable of resisting infectious diseases and their harmful effects. Immunization is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions available, as it prevents a large number of illnesses, disabilities, and deaths.

Types of Immunization

There are two major types of immunization: active and passive. Active immunization involves the administration of an antigen (such as a vaccine or toxoid) that stimulates the body's own immune system to produce antibodies to protect the body against the antigen. Examples of active immunization include the administration of vaccines against measles, mumps, rubella, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and hepatitis B.

Passive immunization involves the transfer of ready-made antibodies from one individual to another. Examples of passive immunization include the administration of immune globulin or antibodies to protect against diseases such as measles, hepatitis A, and tetanus.

Benefits of Immunization

Immunization has a number of benefits, including:

- Protection against infectious diseases: Immunization prevents the spread of infectious diseases by reducing the number of carriers in a population.

- Cost savings: Immunization saves money by reducing the costs associated with the treatment of infectious diseases.

- Quality of life: Immunization protects individuals from the serious and sometimes fatal consequences of many infectious diseases.

Recommendations for Immunization

The WHO recommends that all individuals over the age of 6 months receive regular immunizations. Vaccines should be administered according to the national immunization schedule, which is based on the age, health status, and risk of exposure to certain diseases. Immunization schedules vary by country, so it is important to consult with a healthcare provider to determine which vaccines are recommended for a particular individual.
 

TheSage

Active member
Immunization is the process of administering a vaccine to help the body develop immunity to a specific infectious disease. Immunization has been proven to be one of the most effective methods of preventing the spread of infectious diseases and can help save millions of lives. WHO recommends that all persons, regardless of age, should be immunized against certain vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccines stimulate the body’s own immune system to protect against disease-causing microorganisms. Vaccines help the body recognize and fight these organisms, if and when they are encountered in the future.
 

MrApple

Active member
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), immunization is the process whereby a person is made immune or resistant to an infectious disease, typically by the administration of a vaccine. Vaccines stimulate the body's own immune system to protect the person against subsequent infection or disease. Immunization prevents illness, disability, and death from vaccine-preventable diseases like measles, polio, and tetanus. Immunization is a cost-effective public health intervention that not only helps protect individuals, but also helps protect entire communities by preventing the spread of infectious diseases.
 

DebatingDynamo

Active member
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), immunization is the process whereby a person is made immune or resistant to an infectious disease, typically by the administration of a vaccine. Vaccines stimulate the body’s own immune system to protect the person against subsequent infection or disease. Vaccination is one of the most cost-effective ways of avoiding disease – it currently prevents 2-3 million deaths a year, and a further 1.5 million could be avoided if global coverage of vaccinations improved.

Immunization not only helps protect individuals and families, but also helps reduce the spread of disease within communities by providing a form of herd immunity. When a significant portion of a population is immune to a disease, it is much harder for the disease to spread and it therefore becomes less common overall.

WHO recommends that all children have access to basic vaccines, such as polio, measles, diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus. Vaccines are also available to protect against a range of other diseases such as hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), human papillomavirus (HPV), influenza, and pneumococcal disease.

Immunization is one of the most successful and cost-effective public health interventions available. It is estimated that vaccines are currently preventing the deaths of 2-3 million people a year and that a further 1.5 million deaths could be prevented if global coverage of vaccines improved. Immunization is one of the best investments countries can make in the health of their populations and a cornerstone of primary health care.
 

strawberry

Active member
Immunization, according to WHO (World Health Organization), is the process of protecting individuals from certain infectious diseases by administering immunizations, or vaccines. Vaccines introduce components of an infectious agent (such as dead or weakened pathogens, or toxins from them) into the body to stimulate an immune response. This response helps the body to develop immunity to the disease, and can provide protection from future infections. Immunization is a safe and effective way to prevent illnesses and their complications, and can even save lives. It is one of the most cost-effective health investments, with proven strategies that make it accessible to even the most hard-to-reach and vulnerable populations.
 
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