Klinische Infektionskrankheiten: Open Access

The Role of Vaccination in Preventing Infectious Diseases

Abstract

Senapati Dulal

Vaccination, also known as immunization, is the process of introducing a vaccine into the body to stimulate the immune system's production of antibodies. These antibodies provide immunity against specific pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria, without causing the disease itself. The history of vaccination is marked by groundbreaking discoveries and has been instrumental in improving public health. Vaccines work by mimicking the presence of a pathogen in the body, typically in a weakened or inactivated form. When a person is vaccinated, their immune system recognizes the foreign substance (antigen) and generates an immune response. This response includes the production of antibodies that can specifically target and neutralize the pathogen. If the person is later exposed to the actual pathogen, their immune system can quickly respond, preventing or reducing the severity of the disease. Vaccination has played a pivotal role in eradicating or nearly eradicating infectious diseases that once posed significant threats to public health. The most notable example is smallpox, which was declared eradicated in 1980 thanks to an aggressive global vaccination campaign. Polio is another disease on the verge of eradication, with just a few remaining endemic countries.