Categories: Uncategorized

The Importance and Benefits of Immunizations

Immunizations, also known as vaccines, are injections that can prevent serious illness and improve individual health. Immunizations and vaccinations have helped prevent diseases that once spread rapidly through communities and killed infants and young children. Children who have had vaccinations against these contagious illnesses show improved health and wellness over time. Their enhanced immunity also benefits the health of other community members who did not receive vaccinations.

The importance of immunization and its benefits

When nearly all people get vaccinated, it prevents illness from spreading to those who are not vaccinated. Getting immunized and vaccinated is crucial for community health. The following are reasons why immunization is important.

Immunization is life-saving

Vaccinations help prevent severe diseases which can result in serious health issues or death. According to the Centers for Disease Control, Hib (Haemophilus influenza type B) can cause brain damage or death, polio causes paralysis and HPV causes cancers. Some illnesses such as measles and tetanus are incurable or untreatable. The only defense against these illnesses is a vaccine.

Vaccine-preventable illnesses still exist

Vaccinations have cut down vaccine-preventable ailments all over the world. However, the viruses and bacteria that cause these illnesses persist. Such illnesses may resurface if vaccination rates drop. Such incidents have occurred in certain countries, leading to deaths and hospitalizations.

Diseases like measles and polio, which can be uncommon in the U.S., stay common anywhere else in the world and also might contracted and brought in by somebody who traveled abroad. If individuals fail to receive vaccines, these health issues can transmit to others rapidly and lead to outbreaks.

To protect others

Getting vaccinated does not just protect the recipient, it also protects the entire community. The reason is that when more people in a community are vaccinated, an ailment will hardly spread between people. Community immunity or herd immunity is the protection a large proportion of individuals has against a particular disease.

Herd immunity is key to maintaining low disease prevalence and protecting vulnerable populations (infants, patients receiving specific health treatments, and patients with compromised immune systems).

Vaccines safety and effectiveness

Vaccines pose very little risk to individuals, and they must pass rigorous testing before approval. Even then, medical professionals continue to monitor its safety. Vaccinations are effective, because before they were available, many people died or got sick from polio, Hib, and diphtheria. The incidence of these illnesses has decreased in incidence because of vaccinations.

Prevention is better than treating the disease

An individual will develop immunity safely through vaccination. If the immunity comes as a result of contracting the illness, the patient might suffer severe illness, disability, or even death. In some cases, meningococcal infection can result in hearing issues, brain injury, and amputation, and chickenpox can cause pneumonia and an increased risk of serious group A streptococcal infections.

Reduced antibiotic resistance

Vaccination decreases the need for antibiotics, which means lower antibiotic resistance. For instance, antibiotic resistance against pneumococcal bacteria reduced after the introduction of pneumococcal vaccine was created. The number of antibiotics prescribed decreased because the vaccinated kids did not get sick. Bacterial resistance to antibiotics used to treat Hib also decreased after the implementation of the Hib vaccine.

In conclusion

Immunizations have many benefits in general, and offer great protecting against potentially life-threatening or debilitating diseases. To learn more, contact our office today.

Get more information here: https://eldridgeclinic.com or call Eldridge Family Clinic at (281) 946-1351

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Immunizations in Houston, TX.

Recent Posts

The Role Of Primary Care In Preventative Health

Having a connection with a primary care provider is paramount for your health. These medical professionals ensure you remain healthy year-round by providing services to prevent many illnesses and conditions. These services do not always mean medications. In fact, the goal of any medical care provider is to keep your body healthy enough to sustain…

How Do You Know If You Should Get A Health Check Up?

Wondering when you need to get a health check up? Read on to learn more. Many people avoid seeking medical attention for minor health issues. If the headache disappears in a few hours or your fever subsides automatically after a short while, then there is perhaps no need to visit the doctor’s office for a…

Common Reasons A Patient May Need Blood Testing

Blood testing can reveal a wealth of information about one’s health. Primary care doctors use it to screen, diagnose, and monitor treatment for various diseases. Here is why a doctor may recommend that a patient have a blood test.To perform blood testing, the healthcare provider will take several vials of blood from the arm using…

What Does Routine Blood Testing Show?

Considering blood testing so you can find out just how healthy you really are? Most medical professionals want their patients to have routine blood tests performed about every 12 months. The results from their blood work will give them a great deal of information. That helps them to provide their patients with better medical care…

Dr. Jerry Hillard

Share
Published by
Dr. Jerry Hillard

Recent Posts

The Role of Primary Care in Preventative Health

Having a connection with a primary care provider is paramount for your health.

2 months ago

How Do You Know if You Should Get a Health Check Up?

Wondering when you need to get a health check up? Read on to learn more.

3 months ago

Common Reasons a Patient May Need Blood Testing

Here is why a doctor may recommend that a patient have a blood test.

4 months ago

What Does Routine Blood Testing Show?

Thinking about blood testing? Getting certain blood tests will help you understand your health, which…

7 months ago

Tips From Your Primary Care Doctor on Heart Health

Maintaining heart health is one of the most important things that a person can do,…

8 months ago

Health Promotion Primary Care Services

Primary care is vital for men and women, children and adults throughout life. Not only…

11 months ago