All You Need to Know About Vaccinations

Vaccination is a medical concept that is oftentimes clouded with confusion and misconceptions. The thing is vaccinations actually play a huge role in the health of the public. Through proper vaccination, diseases such as measles, polio, chicken pox, mumps, diphtheria, and other contagious and high-risk diseases can be prevented from plaguing communities. Here’s a quick guide to vaccines and their importance in the health and wellbeing of people.

Quick History

The smallpox vaccine was the first discovered vaccine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smallpox is caused by the variola virus, with symptoms such as fever and progressive skin rash. The spread of smallpox across nations can be traced back to the early civilizations when people begin to explore territories, trade, and migrate. The deadly disease has killed up to 500 million people around the world since the 1900s. When the vaccine was discovered and used, the disease was wiped out for good. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the total eradication of smallpox in 1980.

How it works

Vaccines, also known as immunizations, seek to boost up the human body’s natural immunity to a disease. When a person is vaccinated, not only are they able to save their lives, but also help prevent further spread of the disease. This is the reason public health authorities are keen on providing immunization services to communities. Vaccines build up antibodies to prevent certain illnesses. As a result, the vaccinated person would not go through the symptoms of the disease.

Most vaccines are developed from a weaker version of the disease germ. They are injected to the body, usually through a shot in the arm or leg. Once the body identifies the invading foreign germs (antigens), it will naturally produce antibodies to ward them off, developing immunity to the disease. These antibodies would stay in the system permanently in most cases. Once the person is exposed to the same disease, their immune system will work to protect them.

Preventable diseases

There are a many diseases that can be prevented through proper vaccination. These include tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis), rubella, haemophilus influenza type B infections, hepatitis B, influenza, pneumococcal infections, and many more.

Where to get vaccinated

If you are wondering where to get vaccinations in Hong Kong, there are many qualified medical service providers around. These companies offer immunization services to individuals, corporations, and schools. They have vaccines for infants, children, teenagers, and adults. Some of the most common offers include vaccines for Hepatitis A and B, Influenza, Combined Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Chickenpox, 23-valent PCV, 13-valent PCV, as well as Group A, C, W135 and Y Polysaccharide Meningococcal.

Boost up your immunity against dangerous and contagious diseases by getting vaccinated. Take the chance to get immunizations along with your family and friends so everybody gets the benefit of added health protection through vaccines.