Why do I need vaccinations?

Saviour of the time: Vaccination!

Whenever we fall weak and become easy targets of breakdowns, the support systems of our lives, our family and friends, come forward to revive and protect us. Similarly, there are some times when our body falls weak and becomes easily prone to severe diseases and viruses. But who comes to protect our body and revive it to to fight back?

Well, let’s find out!

The Immunity Factor

The word ‘immunity’ itself means ‘protection’. So consecutively, the immune system of a human body simply means the mechanism that protects the body against everything that could harm it. The immunity system in human bodies consists of cells(White Blood Cells), Platelets and a number of other tissues and nerves that form a part of the body’s defence mechanism.

What are antibodies?

The process of being immune is incomplete without the assistance of antibodies. These are protein complexes produced by the immune system of a body, in response to an infectious microorganism attacking the body. Antibodies are quick to respond, hence making it easier and quicker for the body to fight the virus causing sickness and emerge healthy again. This is known as being ‘immune’.

Once you are immune to a particular virus, the chances of being infected by the same strain become very less.

Making Anti-Bodies

The white blood cells (WBCs) of our body are the main producers of antibodies, the most important defence of the body against disease and infection.  The antibodies recognize the viruses that invade our body and they proceed to attack it in order to completely destroy them. The individual may get symptoms at this point such as fever and inflammation, which are signs that the body is successfully fighting against the invading virus.

However, in some instances wherein your body is unable to create anti-bodies of its own, you can be injected with anti-bodies from another healthy person, in the form of blood plasma which will assist your body to detect and kill the virus. This treatment largely depends on the type of disease and is not recommended for all kinds of ailments.

Why do I need vaccinations?

Well, having a great immune system is not sufficient. Just like having a great phone is not enough, and you need to charge it regularly to keep it healthy and functioning, similarly, it is extremely important to boost your immune system often so that your body is combat ready at all times for any invading virus.

So, the easiest method to do this is through vaccinations. In simple words, the vaccine is a substance that is injected to your immune system so that you become immune against a specific virus/disease. It protects you from any future possible attacks from a particular virus.

In the case of most common vaccines, the substance that is injected is actually a weakened/dead form of the virus you intend to combat against, so that your White Blood Cells (WBC’s) identify it and make antibodies to defeat this kind of virus.

Accordingly, children are vaccinated when they are babies so that from their initial years themselves, they are protected from many disease-causing agents.

The very first vaccination of its kind was developed in the 18th century by Edward Jenner, against the deadly disease of small pox.

Covid-19 And Vaccination

Of recent years, the globe at large has been affected with this new type of disease called Covid-19,  which has turned into a global pandemic. It is a disease caused by the virus called ‘SARS-Cov2’, and it was discovered for the first time on the year 2019.

The Coronavirus spreads very easily through mediums of air and surface in the form of droplets when people cough, talk and sneeze. Although this disease has a very low percentage of affecting human mortality, it can be easily cured at home through strict isolation of the affected individual for a period of 15 days.

However, there is also a slight chance wherein this disease may get quite severe in some patients, and hospitalisation of the patient is required.

But after a a long duration of devising the cure for the Coronavirus pandemic, it was found out that people could be vaccinated with a weak form of this virus, so that the body would be able to create a sufficient amount of anti-bodies to tackle an attack of this virus. However, there are also other types of vaccines that have a slightly more complicated mode of action.

Thereafter, many countries and their respective governments had made it mandatory for people to get vaccinated as early as possible against this virus.

Fun Fact

• Laughter acts as a natural booster for your immune system! So make sure you laugh enough for a strong body!
• Just like human beings, animals too can also be vaccinated against certain specific diseases!

Practice Time!

Related Questions:

1. What is the function of platelets in human immune system?
2. What are the two kinds of blood cells in human bodies?
3. What is the current situation of the pandemic caused by the Coronavirus?

Here’s a fun quiz for you:

The first-ever vaccination created was against the virus causing:

• Measles
• Small Pox
• Typhus
• Yellow fever

Identify the incorrect constituent of the Immune System:

• Platelets
• White Blood Cells
• Brain
• Leukocytes

Being immune keeps your body healthy against all virus attacks:

• Yes
• No
• Maybe

The Coronavirus was discovered in the year;

• 2018
• 2019
• 2020
• 2021

What are the symptoms of a good immune system at work?

• Fever
• Inflammation
• Both
• None

State True or False:

1. WBC forms antibodies: _______
2. Quarantine period for people affected with Covid-19 is 3 months: _______
3. Healthy food and lifestyle help boosts immunity: _________
4. Vaccination is an invalid procedure: ___________
5. Anti-bodies help fight viruses: __________