Vaccines

What are vaccinations?

A vaccine is a solution made from a minute volume of weakened or dead germs that cause serious diseases. Vaccination is the act of receiving vaccines. Vaccines can be made from any of the following:

• Viruses
• Toxins
• Bacteria

To understand how vaccines work, it helps to think about how your immune system keeps you healthy. Every time your immune system detects an invading germ, it responds by releasing antibodies to fight that germ.

They attack, weakening and destroying germs to prevent you from becoming ill. Once the attack is over, your immune system retains those antibodies. If you ever encounter that same type of germ, your body identifies it and can quickly release those antibodies to launch a new attack.

Can’t I gain immunity to diseases naturally?

Absolutely! Natural immunity occurs when you’re exposed to a germ and your body fights it off successfully. From that point forward, you have a natural protection from that disease.

The problem with relying on your natural power of immunity is that many of the diseases that vaccinations prevent are very serious. There’s no benefit in natural immunity if your body can’t fight off a deadly disease in order for that process to take place.

At Healing Vessels Medical Associates LLC, Ms. Omoregbee strives to educate parents on the role that vaccinations play in the long-term health of their children. It should also be noted that many adults have gaps in their own immunization record. Ms. Omoregbee can review your lifetime immunization record and guide you toward the protection you need to stay healthy.

What are some common types of vaccines?

Most Americans receive a wide range of vaccinations from the time they’re infants well into adulthood. Some of the more common vaccines include:

• Smallpox
• Measles, mumps, and rubella
• Polio
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis C
• Rotavirus
• Meningococcal disease
• Shingles
• Whooping cough
• Diphtheria
• Tetanus

This is far from a comprehensive list of available vaccines. New vaccines are also in development, and could soon increase the number of diseases that can be prevented through vaccination.

Why is it important to get vaccinations?

Vaccination is important from both a personal and public health standpoint. Not only can vaccines help keep you healthy, but they can also prevent the spread of disease. There is a great deal of misinformation about vaccinations. If you have any questions or concerns, Ms. Omoregbee is happy to sit down with you and discuss any aspect of vaccination.

Without vaccinations, diseases can quickly spread, leading to serious outbreaks that can decimate populations. Americans often feel as though polio, measles, and similar diseases are no longer a concern, but there are parts of the world where these diseases still claim many lives. Vaccination keeps the entire population safe.

If you or your child needs vaccination, or you have questions about whether your vaccination history is enough to keep you healthy, call or use the online scheduling tool to book a visit with Evelyn Omoregbee, CRNP.