Immunisation – A Better Understanding towards Better Health
Immunisation – A Better Understanding towards Better Health
You may be wondering why we're not sick all the time as a result. The reason? Our immune system fights them all off and prevents us from getting sick.
How Does Our Immune System Work?
The immune system is our body's first line of defence. It recognises when harmful viruses such as the flu, bacteria and antigens enter the body. It sends an immune response, where white blood cells converge on the source to prevent the virus or bacteria from spreading.
When the foreign invaders are contained, our immune system creates antibodies, which lock onto the source and destroys them.
Aren't you glad we have immune systems keeping us healthy and safe?
Vaccinations Make For A Stronger Immune System
One of the best health innovations humans have had over the decades is the invention of vaccines.
You see, vaccines make use of weakened or dead viruses to trigger an immune response.
The immune system assumes we've contracted something serious when a vaccine enters the body.
It then does its job, sending out white blood cells to contain the weakened invaders and creating antibodies to finish the source of the disease.
These antibodies prevent similar infections by storing a "memory" of the specific virus in its cells.
So the next time you acquire a particular virus, say influenza, and you have received a prior flu vaccination, your immune system will already have the information needed to fight off the virus and the antibodies to destroy it quickly.
Granted, there's still a low chance that you'll get sick from a flu virus, but it will be a weaker form, and you can rest easy that you won't experience the most dangerous effects.
What About Natural Immunisation?
Natural immunity happens when you get infected by a disease and live through it. Your immune system makes up antibodies that will be ready to stave it off in the future.
While natural immunisation sounds better, in some instances, the risk is greater than immunity provided by vaccinations. Case in point- some diseases are deadlier than others, and contagious ones may present serious complications.
Some are deadly enough that you can die from them.
Vaccination can protect you and your family from viruses, even deadly ones.
Studies show that vaccines prevent 2.5 million fatalities per year.
It also protects the frail, the vulnerable and our future generation.
Source:
How does immunisation work?
https://beta.health.gov.au/health-topics/immunisation/getting-started/how-does-immunisation-work
- Behind the Syringe
- Flu Insights
Introducing Aitor Aspiazu, your go-to flu expert and a Registered Nurse accredited by AHPRA (NMW0001159845). Boasting over two decades of experience in healthcare, Aitor has navigated everything from Emergency Departments to Corporate Wellness Programs—and yes, he’s even battled the flu himself. As the Founder and Lead Nurse Consultant at Corporate Care, he’s the driving force behind workplace health and well-being. No longer in scrubs, he’s now at the forefront of healthcare innovation, leveraging Artificial Intelligence and automation to revolutionise workplace health and well-being. As the Founder and Lead Nurse Consultant at Corporate Care, he’s the visionary behind cutting-edge flu vaccination programs that keep businesses running smoothly. Off-duty, he’s a proud dad and a Padel addict who represented Australia in the World Padel Championship. Trust Aitor; he’s got your back when it comes to flu prevention and modern healthcare solutions.