Immunization
                     IMMUNIZATION
What is immunization?
• Immunization is the process of giving a vaccine to a person to protect them 
against disease. Immunity (protection) by immunization is similar to the 
immunity a person would get from disease, but instead of getting the disease 
you get a vaccine.
Source: www.fraserhealth.ca
How do vaccines work?
• Vaccines contain the same germ that causes disease. But the germs in the 
vaccine have been killed or weakened so that they do not make you sick. 
Some vaccines contain only a part of the germ that causes disease.
Source: www.fraserhealth.ca
How do vaccines work cont.
• When you get immunized, your body is tricked into thinking that it has been 
infected with the disease. It makes antibodies that kill the germs. These 
antibodies stay in your body for a long time and remember how to fight the 
germ
Source: www.fraserhealth.ca
Protection against the disease
• Most people are fully protected against the disease after getting immunized. 
In rare cases, people who are immunized can still get the disease because 
they only get partial protection from the vaccine.
Source: www.fraserhealth.ca
Why Should Someone Get Immunized?
• The goal of public health is to prevent disease. It's much easier and more 
cost-effective to prevent a disease than to treat it. That's exactly what 
immunizations aim to do.
Source: www.webmd.com
Which Immunizations Do Children Need?
• Because proof of immunization is often a prerequisite for enrollment in 
school or day care, it's important to keep your children up to date on their 
vaccines. 
• The benefit of doing so is that your children will be protected from diseases 
that could cause them serious health problems. 
Source: www.webmd.com
Recommended immunizations for children 
• Hepatitis B
• Rotavirus
• Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis
• Haemophiles influenzae type B
• Pneumococcal
• Poliovirus
• Influenza
• Measles, mumps, rubella
• Varicella (chickenpox)
• Hepatitis A
Source: www.webmd.com
What About Immunization Side Effects?
• Today, vaccines are considered safe. As with any medication, they can have 
side effects. In most cases these are usually mild. Most common minor 
reactions to an immunization are:
– Soreness or redness around the injection site
– Low-grade fever
Source: www.webmd.com
What is herd immunity?
• When enough people in a community are immunized against a disease, the 
chance of an outbreak is greatly reduced. This type of community protection 
is known as ‘herd’ or ‘community’ immunity.
Source: www.fraserhealth.ca
How Effective Are Immunizations?
• Vaccines are very effective at preventing disease, but they don't work all the 
time. Most of the recommended childhood immunizations are 90%-100% 
effective, according to the CDC.
Source: www.webmd.com