VACCINATION

Vaccination is the act and result of vaccinating . This action refers to applying a vaccine : an antigen that, when inoculated to a subject, protects it against certain diseases.

Vaccination, in this way, is the process that allows the application of a vaccine to a person. It is generally part of campaigns or programs promoted by the State to preserve public health.

Hospitals, first aid rooms and other health centers are usually the spaces where vaccination takes place. The usual thing is that the vaccines are administered by nurses.

When referring to the different types of vaccines that exist, we can establish that it is very common to speak of four large groups:
-Toxoids, which, as their name indicates, have the particularity of containing a toxin from a virus or bacterium.
- Those of live viruses, which come to use the weakened form of the virus in question.
-Biosynthetics, which contain substances that are artificial.
-The inactive ones, which are made from small fragments of a virus or bacteria.

The first vaccine was developed in the late 18th century and made it possible to protect the population from smallpox . Then vaccination campaigns against rabies , tuberculosis , rubella , hepatitis , chickenpox and other diseases were developed .

Most countries have a vaccination schedule , developed according to the indications of the World Health Organization ( WHO ). In this way, it is established that children receive vaccines at a certain age and then indicates when they should receive boosters. The age of the vaccinated must be defined according to the ability of the immune system to react to artificial immunization. Later, the reinforcements help to increase protection.

It is important to note that the vaccination calendar usually establishes mandatory vaccinations : those parents who do not take their children to be vaccinated when the calendar sets it, commit a mistake. This is because the authorities understand that, by not allowing the application of vaccines to their children, they put their health at risk.

It is important that, in addition to what has already been mentioned, other relevant aspects about vaccines and vaccination in general are taken into account:
-The vaccination calendar is always updated every twelve months.
-People who are going to travel to countries other than the continent in which they live, it is important to inform themselves in advance of the type of vaccines they should get.
-Thanks to vaccines, certain diseases, which in the past were a real evil for society, have become rare today.
-There are many groups of parents who are absolutely against vaccinating their children because they consider that they are subjected to a great variety of consequences that this process brings. However, the health authorities establish that it is more dangerous not to vaccinate them and that the benefits of this action are much higher than the risks.
-Pregnant women it is important to consult their doctors before injecting a vaccine as it can cause significant harm to their babies.