Benefits And Risks Of Vaccines Dr. Shikha Chandaliya August 18, 2022 Health & Beauty 292 Everywhere we go, what and whoever we interact with, there will always be microorganisms such as germs, bacteria, and viruses. These can be harmful to us, and when a vulnerable person gets attacked, they will get sick, catch different symptoms, and even spread this to other people. Our body has a way of protecting itself when germs or viruses enter our system. Disease-causing organisms that attack and infect our body are fought off and stopped by our immune system. In rare cases, some pathogens cannot be detected or removed by our body’s natural defenses. This is where vaccines come to help. The World Health Organization (WHO) explains that vaccines work because they contain weakened or inactive parts of a particular organism, known as antigens, that sets off an immune defense. In simpler terms, vaccines have a safe and small structure of the organism that teaches our body to defend itself when the actual harmful organism enters our body. Vaccines help prevents symptoms, curb the disease’s severity, and minimize the risk of spreading certain diseases. However, some of these doses can have mild yet uncomfortable side effects. Others experience an adverse reaction. Because of this, some people question the method vaccines are made and how they work. Questions often occur, like ‘can you get nerve damage from a vaccination?’ when talking about counteragents for different diseases. To increase your knowledge of vaccines, here are the benefits and risks associated with the intake of immunizations: Benefits of Vaccines: 1. Immunity To Specific Diseases Our body has a natural response whenever a pathogen enters our body. Some diseases, however, are not easily detected by our immune system, which ends up causing our body to have complications, with some of them eventually leading to death. Vaccines help our body respond to foreign diseases new to our body’s defenses. Being vaccinated causes our body to be immune to the symptoms and also prevents the spread to our body. When a family of the virus with the same structure enters your body in the future, the antibodies in your system know what to do to defend themselves. 2. Protects Yourself And The Community Around You In our everyday life, we need to interact with different people to get tasks done or socialize. Having a disease that could be transmitted easily can hinder social interaction. Being vaccinated helps you to feel at ease when you associate with other people, especially when a virus is present in your area. This could also avoid infections in workplaces where we expose ourselves to the danger of having sickness. Having safety equipment such as masks is a good measure to prevent the spreading from one person to another, but it won’t be enough. Vaccination not only protects yourself but the important people around you. If everyone within the community is vaccinated, the spread of the virus and its symptoms are limited. The government and healthcare systems would have an easier job as few recorded infections are present for them to cure. 3. Protects You In The Future With data from WHO in 2020 revealing that only two diseases were officially eradicated, we have to take note that most of the diseases or viruses could still potentially be active in our society. There is a chance that the virus may spread, evolve, or a new variant within the family could emerge. Getting a vaccination now lessens the chances of further and more complications once they eventually return. There’s also no telling when an outbreak is set to happen next. A vaccine affords you protection and peace of mind in this case. 4. Vaccines Are Safe And Side Effects Are Uncommon It is always safer for everyone to get vaccinated than to think about the temporary risks that are present after getting a vaccination shot. Almost all vaccines are safe and can protect people from the complications of the different viruses. Severe side effects can be seen only in a very limited number of people who get vaccinated. Regardless, these effects can be cured over time or by medication. If you are experiencing side effects after getting vaccinated, you can always consult a doctor for you to be safe and sure. Risks of Vaccines: 1. Soreness In The Injected Area One of the common complaints after getting vaccinated is the soreness we feel. This is just a mild side effect after getting injected with the vaccine. After a few hours, this pain usually subsides, but if the pain still occurs for more than a day, you may consult a doctor. 2. Fatigue Or Headaches Some people get headaches or feel dizzy and tired after getting vaccinated. This is another mild side effect that could happen. Some cases occur where it can be associated with a migraine as it gets worse. Headaches are common and temporary and are often linked to our immune system getting its defenses ready against viruses. For people with migraine, you would experience short-term worsening of your condition. You should always be hydrated before and after getting vaccinated shot to ensure that these conditions don’t get any worse. 3. Mild Fever Some people experience to get chills or fever after getting vaccinated. There is nothing to be afraid of once this happens. It is normal and only temporary as such side effects only occur for a couple of days after the shot. The vaccine could already be working as your temperature rises. Often a vaccine can cause fever, a sign that our immune system is already gearing up to defend our body against the virus. You can consult a doctor if the side effects are still present after a few days. 4. Allergic Reactions Some side effects that occur are rashes or swelling of the face or throat, which are common allergic reactions some may have after getting vaccinated. There are cases wherein severe side effects are obtained after getting vaccinated. The chances of this, however, are very slim. Some may experience difficulty in breathing, blood pressure rising, body covered in rashes, and dizziness. Vaccination provides benefits and risks to individuals and their communities. All vaccines undergo trials to know how effective their vaccine is and what side effects may occur after taking them. Healthcare systems, scientists, and the government make sure that all vaccines are of high quality, and no person should worry about a major complication from them. Knowing the vaccine efficiency that you would take would lessen your worries. An example is Pfizer, which has 95% vaccine efficiency for the COVID-19 vaccine. If you experience severe side effects after vaccination, always remember to consult a doctor to be sure. Conclusion Although several risks come with vaccination, these are relatively mild compared to the complications from getting the disease and experiencing its symptoms. Vaccines are safe to use as long as they are used properly. If vaccines are readily available in your area, consider getting immunized to protect yourself, and help the community, as well as the government and healthcare systems. SHARE THIS POST