Immunizing helps to protect the health of our community

Immunization is the process by which an individual’s immune system becomes fortified against an infectious agent (known as the immunogenic) in layman’s world, Immunization is the process by which a person becomes protected against a disease through vaccination. Vaccination is the art of introducing a vaccine into the body to produce immunity.

When this system is exposed to molecules that are foreign to the body, called non-self it will orchestrate an immune response and it will also develop the ability to quickly respond to a subsequent encounter because of immunological memory. This is the function of the adaptive immune system. Therefore by exposing a human or an animal, to an immunogenic in a controlled way its body can learn to protect itself which is called active immunization.

The most important elements of the immune system that are improved by immunization are the T-cells, B-cells, and the antibodies B-cells produce. Memory B-cells and Memory T-cells are responsible for a swift response to a second encounter with a foreign molecule. Passive immunization is the direct introduction of these elements into the body instead of the production of the elements by the body itself. 

Different Vaccination Stages

Vaccination is a preventive measure to protect against diseases and build immunity. Vaccination can be taken at various stages from when a new born is born to adulthood to old age.

•  New-born or infants to children: – These vaccinations can be taken from when a child is born or at birth till the child becomes 6 years of age.
•  Preteens and teens: – These vaccinations are recommended for children from -18 years of age.
•  Adult: – These vaccinations are recommended for people 19 years or older.
•  Vaccination in old age to prevent specific diseases: – These vaccinations are recommended for people with old age when immunity becomes less or old people can be exposed to diseases. 
•  Travel vaccination: – Before traveling to some countries or to a specific country, vaccination is recommended if that country or place has a lot of people with a particular disease.

World Immunization day and its significance

The 10^th of November is celebrated as world immunization day every year. This day is celebrated to make people aware of the importance of getting timely vaccination against vaccine-preventable diseases. Also, failure to get immunized will only end up generating expensive medical bills due to a disease that could have been easily prevented with a low-tech and cost-effective vaccine shot. Vaccines also help eradicate pandemics. So it is very critical to educate people about the importance of getting vaccinated. 

A brief history of vaccines 

1796: – Dr. Edward Jenner created the world’s first successful vaccine against smallpox. He found out that people infected with cowpox were immune to smallpox.

1885: – Louis Pasteur successfully prevents rabies through post-exposure vaccination.

1937: – Max Theiler, Hugh Smith, and Huyen Hagen develop the 17 D vaccine against yellow fever. The vaccine is approved in 1938 and over a million people received it that year. Theiler goes on to be awarded the Nobel Prize. 

1939: – Bacteriologists Pearl Kendrick and Grace Eldering demonstrate the efficacy of the pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine. The scientists show that vaccination reduces the rates at which children get sick from 15.1 per 100 children to 2.3 per 100.

1945: – By 1945, the first influenza vaccine is approved for military use, followed in 1946 by approval for civilian use. The research is led by doctors Thomas Francis Jr and Jonas Salk, whom both go on to be closely associated with the polio vaccine.

From 1952- 1955: – The first Polio vaccine is developed by Jonas Salk and trials begin. Salk tests the vaccine on himself and his family the following year, and mass trials involving over 1.3 million children takes place in 1954.

by 1960: – The second type of Polio vaccine developed by Albert Sabin is approved for use.

1967: – Mass vaccination begins with World Health Organization announcing the intensified smallpox eradication program.

1971: – The measles vaccine is combined with recently developed vaccines against mumps and rubella into a single vaccination.

1988: – WHO launches the global polio eradication initiative. 

2016: – The success of the Meningitis vaccine project highlights the key role public-private partnerships can play in helping to develop vaccines.

2019: – WHO pre-qualifies an Ebola vaccine for use in countries at high risk.

2021: – WHO calls on member states to prioritize vaccination against Covid-19 in all countries.