YOUR HEALTH

From March 2020 until May 2023 when it was declared over, the COVID-19 pandemic had chokehold on all aspects of human existence, even threatening the very loss of humanity itself. Eventually, after three years of living in fear and uncertainty, the devastating threat of a global pandemic ended with the implementation of a successful mass immunization program.

The COVID-19 pandemic is the newest health crisis the world has faced in recent history. Prior to this, three of the most notable ones were the Black Death during the 13th century, the Spanish Flu in 1918 and the HIV/AIDs during the early 80s.

Health officials believe that any global public health challenge such as the outbreak of any infectious disease can be overcome by ensuring that every man, woman, child, and communities are protected through easy access to vaccines.

For the past 10 years and as part of global efforts to educate families and raise awareness about the importance of vaccines and immunizations, the National Public Health Information Coalition, in coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has designated August as National Immunization Awareness Month.

Public health experts see NIAM as a time for individuals, healthcare professionals, and communities to come together to champion the importance of vaccines in protecting public health and in saving lives. By using different platforms such as community events, lectures, and the distribution of hand-outs and educational materials, health care professionals aim to raise awareness about vaccines and why people of all ages should be on top of their vaccination schedule.

Information and resources about vaccines and immunization programs are easily available online or from the CHCC Immunization Program, outpatient clinics, or local healthcare providers on island.

The CDC also has online materials and comprehensive resources available for those who want to learn about vaccines and. Visit their site at http://www.cdc.gov.

For a global perspective on immunization, the World Health Organization offers resources and information about global vaccination efforts. Visit their site at https://www.who.int/health-topics/vaccines-and-immunization

Another website that provides information on vaccines, including a vaccine finder tool to help individuals locate vaccination clinics near them is http://www.vaccines.gov.

There are also advocacy organizations such as the Immunization Action Coalition and Vaccinate Your Family which offer advocacy resources and tools for individuals interested in supporting vaccination efforts.

Routine vaccinations during childhood and adolescence have proven to be the most effective tool for preventing and controlling the spread of infectious diseases. WHO considers immunization a global health and development success story, saving millions of lives, yearly.

WHO describes a vaccine as a means to prepare the bodys immune response against diseases. Vaccines are either administered orally or through a needle injection. The first successful vaccine was created on 1796 by Dr. Edward Jenner for smallpox.

Being vaccinated not only benefits individuals by protecting them from severe pain and at times death from preventable communicable diseases but, more importantly, it protects future generations. By reducing, if not totally getting rid of diseases such as measles and polio, newborns are spared the risk of being exposed to deadly diseases.

While history has already proven the effectiveness of vaccines in keeping communities safe, there are still those who delay or are hesitant to get vaccinated despite the availability and access to vaccination services. There are still misconceptions about vaccines and its effect and effectiveness.

Among the six common misconceptions about vaccination listed down by the WHO is that a childs immune system can be overloaded if the child receives multiple vaccinations all at the same time. This concern came about when the childhood vaccination schedule was expanded with the introduction of new vaccines. Numerous studies, however, show that the current recommended vaccines for infants are no more likely to cause harmful effects when given as a combination than when they are given separately.

There is also a misconception that children do not need to be vaccinated anymore from infectious diseases that have already disappeared such as polio and measles. While polio may have been wiped out in the United States since 1979, this disease is still widespread in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Only through vaccination can the spread of this deadly childhood disease be prevented.

Then there are also those who believe that natural immunity is better than a vaccine-acquired immunity while others believe that vaccines cause harmful side effects and even death.

The truth is vaccines are very safe and if there are any negative side effects, they are minor and temporary such as a sore on the arm or a slight fever that can often be controlled by taking paracetamol after vaccination.

Each of us can make a difference in protecting our community from the spread of certain communicable diseases that can threaten the very existence of humanity. We can do our part not just by ensuring we and our own families are on top of our immunization schedules. Most importantly, each of us can help by raising awareness and, by promoting equitable access to vaccines, we can protect public health and save lives. Get involved and be part of the effort to ensure a healthier future for all.

More:
Immunization: Taking action for a healthier future | Health & Fitness | saipantribune.com - Saipan Tribune