Vaccines

Are vaccines safe?

Let’s start by addressing the pervasive misconceptions about vaccine safety. Despite the misinformation readily available online and elsewhere, the scientific community is aligned on the fact that modern vaccines are incredibly safe and effective. 

In fact, vaccines are the reason why Americans don’t see widespread outbreaks of dangerous illnesses like polio, rubella, measles, and many other diseases. Vaccines protect individuals from contracting a wide range of diseases, but they also protect the nation as a whole. 

That’s because of herd immunity, which develops when so many members of a community are protected from a specific disease that the disease cannot spread and take hold within that community. Even if a few individuals become sick, if most of the people they interact with are vaccinated, the illness simply can’t spread. 

How do vaccines work?

Vaccines work by triggering the body’s natural immune function. When a person is exposed to a pathogen, whether that be a virus, bacteria, parasite, or fungus, the immune system recognizes the potentially dangerous substance and launches a swift response. 

This includes developing antibodies that attack that specific pathogen, preventing widespread infection. Once the danger has passed, those antibodies and other natural defenses remain in place, ready to jump into action if the individual encounters the same pathogen at any point in the future. 

This process happens naturally, without vaccines. The problem is that some diseases are so severe that they can overwhelm an individual before natural immunity develops. That’s where vaccines come in. 

Vaccines work by introducing a small volume of a pathogen or part of a pathogen into the body. This triggers an immune reaction that develops the tools to protect against infection, even though there’s not enough of the pathogen to actually harm the individual. Once vaccinated, that protection remains for life. 

How do I know which vaccines are needed?

Dr. Broderick reviews your immunization records to determine if any childhood vaccination gaps need to be filled. There are also certain vaccines that are more important as you age, like the shingles vaccine. 

Routine vaccines, such as those for COVID-19 and the flu, are also available and can be administered during preventive care or wellness visits. For a personalized immunization review, book a visit today by calling Monarch Concierge MD of Maryland or visiting the online scheduling page.