Vaccinations and Immunizations

Vaccinations:

1. Introduction of a vaccine into the body to stimulate the immune system.
2. Vaccines contain weakened or killed forms of pathogens (disease-causing agents).
3. Vaccines trigger the immune system to produce antibodies and immune cells that recognize and fight pathogens.

Immunizations:

1. Process by which a person becomes immune to a disease.
2. Immunization can occur through vaccination, natural infection, or passive immunization (receiving antibodies from another source).

Types of Vaccines:

1. Inactivated vaccines (e.g., flu, HPV)
2. Live, attenuated vaccines (e.g., MMR, chickenpox)
3. Subunit vaccines (e.g., Hib, Hepatitis B)
4. Conjugate vaccines (e.g., pneumococcal, meningococcal)

Importance of Vaccinations and Immunizations:

1. Prevents infectious diseases and their complications.
2. Protects vulnerable populations (e.g., young children, older adults).
3. Helps prevent outbreaks and epidemics.
4. Reduces disease transmission and spread.
5. Saves lives and reduces healthcare costs.

Common Vaccines:

1. Childhood vaccines (e.g., MMR, DTaP, polio)
2. Adult vaccines (e.g., flu, pneumococcal, HPV)
3. Travel vaccines (e.g., yellow fever, typhoid)
4. COVID-19 vaccines