Germs And Vaccines Essay

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Vaccines prepare the immune system to fight disease causing germs. Individuals can construct immunity in two ways; by getting sick from the virus or getting vaccinated. When bacteria or viruses enter the body, the immune system responds by making protein molecules called antibodies. These antibodies take on the task of fighting off the foreign invaders to protect against an infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “A healthy individual can produce millions of antibodies a day, fighting infection so efficiently that people never know they were exposed to the antigen.” Sometimes the virus is to strong and the person gets sick, but the antibodies eliminate the disease preventing germ and help the body get well. …show more content…
People can get immune by getting the disease and having the body fight it with the risk of getting sick, or they can get a vaccine that can help you develop immunity without getting sick. According to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Vaccine Education Center, “Vaccines are made of dead germs or weakened antigens. They can’t cause an infection but the immune system still sees them as a possible enemy and produces antibodies in response.” After the immune system makes antibodies there is something called a memory cell that is produced. If the body were ever to be exposed to that same virus again the immune system notices it and sends out the right antibodies to fight the infection fast and efficiently. Someone who is vaccinated can also help others who are not vaccinated. People who can not get vaccinated due to age or health are protected by herd immunity. If everyone around then is vaccinated against a certain disease they are very unlikely to come in contact with that …show more content…
Getting vaccinated costs less in time and money than catching the disease. An individual can walk into a clinic and get vaccinated for close to nothing in about 15 minutes. This is so much more easier than contracting the infectious disease that can create thousands in medical costs and potential long-term disability care. A CDC study shown that in 2012 children under five who were contagious with the flu costed their parents 11 to 73 hours of incomes, and $300-$4,000 in medical expensive. This could have been simply solved by getting the flu shot. Vaccines Today stated, “A new study says every dollar spent on vaccination saves up to $44 dollars by reducing healthcare spending and productivity loss, and curbing the broader economic impact of illness.” If someone is worried about the cost of vaccines the Vaccines for Children program can provide vaccines at no cost for children with low income families. Also Obamacare and the PPACA provide many vaccines that are available to children and adults without copay. Getting vaccinated can also help future generations save

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