Basic Science JSS 1 Week 10
Topic: Immunization
Introduction
Immunization is a proven tool for controlling and eliminating life-threatening infectious diseases and is estimated to avert between 2 and 3 million deaths each year. This is a way by which the spread of diseases is reduced or eradicated.
Meaning of Immunization
Immunization: refers to the protection of an individual against diseases by giving him or her a vaccine. This makes the immune system of the person stronger thereby improving the resistance of the individual to diseases. Immunization can be done by inoculation or vaccination. Immunization is the process whereby a person is made immune or resistant to an infectious disease, typically by the administration of a vaccine. Vaccines stimulate the body’s own immune system to protect the person against subsequent infection or disease.
Immunization, is the process by which an individual’s immune system becomes fortified against an agent (known as the immunogen).
When this system is exposed to molecules that are foreign to the body, called non-self, it will orchestrate an immune response, and it will also develop the ability to quickly respond to a subsequent encounter because of immunological memory. This is a function of the adaptive immune system. Therefore, by exposing an animal to an immunogen in a controlled way, its body can learn to protect itself: this is called active immunization.
Inoculation: is the process of injecting a vaccine or serum into the blood stream to kill and make harmless, micro-organisms invading the blood stream. Vaccines contain germs that have been killed or weakened. When given to a healthy person, the vaccine triggers the immune system to respond and thus build immunity.
Vaccination: is the process of injecting antibodies into the blood stream to protect the person against diseases. Vaccination is the administration of antigenic material (a vaccine) to stimulate an individual’s immune system to develop adaptive immunity to a pathogen. Vaccines can prevent or ameliorate morbidity from infection.
They protect against things like measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough). Immunizations are important for adults as well as children.
Some international agencies whose primary functions ensure better living through immunization include:
- World Health Organization (WHO),
- United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The best (and often least expensive) place to get vaccinated is at your doctor’s office or primary care clinic as part of regular health care.
