Gift Of The Jab

MH speaks to the experts on the importance of immunisations.

- Angel Drewgus

Vaccination is considered one of the most important advancements in the history of medicine. Non-vaccination could allow diseases to spread. Many arguments can be made for and against vaccination, and the decision to vaccinate can be complex. However, parents today are aware that infectious diseases can spread rapidly, and people who are not vaccinated put their own health and public health at risk.

What is Immunisation?

Immunisation is a safe and effective way of protecting people from harmful infections. After receiving a vaccine, the body’s natural immune system learns to recognise those infections, so that if the person encounters the germ in the community, he or she can fight off the infection, explains Dr Guadalupe Viegelmann, senior resident, Dept of Neonatal & Developmental Medicine, SGH.

How Immunisations Work?

Vaccines contain small amounts of either live but weakened viruses, killed viruses or bacteria, or a modified form of a toxin from bacteria. When a person receives a vaccine, explains Dr Viegelmann, their body responds as if fighting off the infection, although they don’t develop symptoms of the disease itself. In the future, if the person comes into contact with the disease from someone else in the community, their immune system quickly remembers how to defend itself against the disease. The immunised person will not develop any symptoms, or only very mild symptoms of the disease.

Getting Your Children Immunised