The History of Immunizations

Vaccinations are one of the greatest achievements within the public health care industry. Today, there are significantly fewer people suffering from viruses and infectious diseases such as smallpox, measles, whooping cough, and so much more. We have been able to achieve these all-time low statistics through the use of vaccines.

Sometimes we need to look back at history to truly see how significant the medical advancements that we have made are. In the early 1900’s, the top causes of death in America were infectious diseases. These are diseases that could have been (and are now) prevented with the use of vaccines. It’s crazy to think that so many people struggled and lost their lives to illnesses that are now preventable, such as tetanus. Back then, people were not safe from diseases such as polio, and it was something that many people feared about coming into contact with. Even today you can hear stories from survivors from the polio epidemic in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Now, in 2017, you don’t have to worry about losing your life to polio due to the safe polio vaccines that we have protecting us from these diseases. It’s rare to even hear of someone coming into contact with this disease!

Another vaccination that has saved thousands is the smallpox vaccine. We can’t forget about the flu vaccine either. Every year, thousands of people survive because of this important vaccine. Imagine how many lives could have been saved if the flu vaccine was around during the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic!

Many people have concerns about the safety of vaccines. Here’s a bit of background information on what happens before vaccinations are introduced to the public. First of all, it’s important to mention that a vaccine will never be administered to people if it hasn’t been approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Before it even gets to the stage of getting approved by the FDA, each and every vaccine is extensively tested by scientists to ensure that they are safe and working properly. Vaccines are the only thing that can truly protect us from infectious diseases. It is true that there are risks that come with vaccines, just like there are risks that come with every single medication and drug out there. However, the guaranteed benefits of vaccinations are far more powerful than the risks. In today’s day and age, vaccines have never been safer.

Autumn is such a popular season for vaccinations because everyone wants to protect their body against the upcoming colds and flus that many people catch. Apart from getting vaccinated, there are a few other things you can do to prevent yourself from catching infectious illnesses. Diet is a very important factor. Make sure you are eating lots of healthy whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables, to get all the necessary vitamins, nutrients, and minerals that you need! If you are prone to catching colds, investing in the best ear thermometer is great because it will help you to catch any changes in body temperature in the early stages of the sickness. Always wash your hands after going into public, and carry hand sanitizer with you as well. These little things add up and can make a big difference in preventing colds and flus.

Overall, vaccinations are truly one of the greatest successes and advancements that have been made in public health. The level of testing that has been done to them to make sure that they are effective and safe is immense. One study called The Childhood Immunization Schedule and Safety by Hinshaw A, et al. at the Institute of Medicine proved how safe they are. This specific study includes over 60 vaccine safety studies from the past 40 years! There are so many other scientific studies showing the positive effects and lives that have been saved from these vaccines.