Immunity: How & Why

Every wonder why you need multiple injections to be considered immunized? For some inoculations, you must return to the doctor’s office for several shots, and for others, you need only one prick of the medical needle. Why is this? Immunological memory--how well your immune system is able to recognize a certain ANTIGEN (bad guy) and choose an ANTIBODY (good guy) to defeat the unwelcome guest—is the key. Immunological memory protects the body from re-infection by recognizing the bacterium or virus that once caused harm, remembering which ANTIBODY was used to fight the bacterium or virus, and calling upon the supply of these ANTIBODIES, which the body has in store. In some cases, three separate injections are necessary to build up the body’s supply of ANTIBODIES to a level considered to be immune.

>ANTIBODY



VIRUS

The decision to immunize their children is one that all parents must make. Due to the possible side effects, such as autism, some parents do not want to immunize their children. Other parents see this decision as irresponsible and as a threat to the safety of others. In some cases, actually getting a disease, such a chicken pox, could be safer than getting the vaccine because it allows children to naturally build up their immune system without the possible side effects of the vaccine. However, before deciding whether or not to immunize, the danger known as a “super bug” must be taken into consideration. “Super bugs” are viruses and bacteria that have become resistant to vaccines. While this information may seem to favor not immunizing children, those who have not received vaccines are actually at greater risk. Those who have received the vaccine may show mild to moderate symptoms as a result of the super bug, but those who are not vaccinated are more likely to have severe symptoms. Just remember, this is an important decision, so it is wise to understand all available options.

To view a chart of recommended childhood immunization schedule, click here: http://click4biology.info/c4b/11/immunisation.htm