Vaccines: The Shot Heard ‘Round the World of Health – March 16th marks an important occasion: National Vaccination Day! Learn more about vaccines: what they are, how they help, and which diseases each type prevents! Celebrate the shot heard ’round the world of health right here on Newsymom!
This is Public Health is brought to you in partnership with the Tuscarawas County Health Department.
In the grand arena of health, there’s a tiny hero that’s often overlooked but packs a punch bigger than its size – the vaccine! As we gear up to celebrate National Vaccination Day on March 16th, let’s dive into the delightful world of vaccines, where science meets superheroism.
What Are Vaccines?
First off, what exactly are vaccines? Well, imagine them as the bouncers at the VIP section of your body’s nightclub. They train your immune system to recognize and fight off pesky intruders like viruses or bacteria. How? By introducing a weakened or dead version of the germ to your system, like a sneak preview before the main event. Your immune system then goes, “Ah, I know these troublemakers!” and gears up its defenses.
Types of Vaccines
Now, let’s talk about types. Vaccines come in more flavors than an ice cream parlor on a hot summer day. We’ve got live-attenuated vaccines, inactivated vaccines, subunit vaccines, toxoid vaccines, mRNA vaccines, and viral vector vaccines. It’s like a vaccine buffet, but instead of calories, you’re getting immunity!
Check out the different types of vaccines below and which diseases utilize the vaccine type:
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Live-attenuated vaccines – MMR, Rotavirus, Smallpox, Chickenpox, and Yellow Fever
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Inactivated vaccines – Hep A, flu (shot only), polio (shot only), rabies
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Subunit vaccines – Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) disease, Hep B, HPV, Whooping Cough, Pneumococcal disease, Meningococcal disease, Shingles
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Toxoid vaccines – Diptheria, Tetanus
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Viral vector vaccines – COVID-19
Get Your Vaccines Updated Today at the Tuscarawas County Health Department!
Vaccines like flu shots, tetanus boosters, and the ever-important measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine are staples. And let’s not forget about those who missed their school vaccine boat – it’s never too late to catch up! Visit your local health department, like the Tuscarawas County Health Department, for a dose of convenience and protection. They help vaccinate everyone from babies to adults! Give them a ring at (330) 343-5555 x. 1740 or 1810.
So, folks, as we raise our glasses (or rather, vaccine vials) to National Vaccination Day on March 16th, let’s not forget the importance of staying up to date on our shots. It’s not just about personal health but about protecting the community as well. So, here’s to a world where viruses are defeated, and immunity reigns supreme. Get your jab, stay fab, and let’s keep the laughter infectious!