Vaccines are available for numerous infectious agents, but some people resist immunization due to fears of illness.
The purpose of immuization with vaccine is to prevent infection with the infectious agent against which the vaccine protects. For instance, the flu vaccine consists of a preparation of dead influenza virus to stimulate the immune system to develop antibodies to the influenzae virus without actually being infected by flu. Some people absolutely refuse to get immunized because of a flu-like illness that they or someone they knew had following inoculation with the vaccine.
Influenza infection can be life-threatening to the very young, the very old, and the immunocompromised. Active stimulation of the immune system to produce antibodies against the influenza virus prevents infection or reduces the severity of infection in some people who develop only partial immunity. Immunizaiton could be the difference between life and death for many individuals at risk of infection and/or the complications of infection.
The fear of illness following immunization is related to flu-like symptoms that occur in some individuals. I choose to follow the advice of infectious disease experts rather than those who warn against influenza immunization. It seems to me that the flu-like symptoms following immunization are in reponse to stimulation of my immune system by the vaccine...the same immune response that causes flu symptoms in people actually infected with influenza. The difference is that the symptoms themselves are not life-threatening; whereas, influenza infection may be life-threatening in those most at risk of complication. I believe my responsibility as a healthcare provider includes protecting myself and the patients and clients I come into contact with from infection.
What are your thoughts?
