The use of vaccines to combat dangerous diseases has been around for over two hundred years. One of the world’s first vaccines was discovered in 1796 to combat smallpox. Smallpox was a deadly disease that killed hundreds of millions of people across the globe.
Here in the United States, the smallpox vaccine was discontinued in 1972 because smallpox was no longer a threat to children or adults. The vaccine did its job by preventing the spread of the disease.
Thanks to hundreds of years of scientific research, we have vaccines for many other dangerous diseases like plague, cholera, typhoid, and polio.
How do vaccines protect you from disease?
Vaccines strengthen the body’s immune system. Thousands of different germs are present around us every day. The body’s immune system is designed to fight off most germs that cause disease.
Germs contain substances called antigens that send our immune response into “attack mode.” A baby’s immune system begins to fight germs right after birth.
Some deadly diseases are hard for our immune system to handle. Vaccines strengthen the immune system to protect us from dangerous diseases like polio, measles, or diphtheria.
How do vaccines work?
A vaccine contains tiny amounts of the antigen from a dead or weakened germ. The body’s immune system recognizes the antigen in the vaccine as the “enemy.” The immune system swings into action and produces cells called antibodies to attack the antigen. The immune system now has the necessary antibodies needed to fight the disease-causing germs.
Some vaccines are not approved for babies or young children. For example, the vaccine for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) is not given to children until age 1. But vaccines can still protect this population from catching the viruses through herd immunity.
Herd immunity occurs when about 80% of people within a community are vaccinated against these serious childhood diseases. As a result, the measles, mumps, or rubella viruses are less able to circulate and cause infections in unvaccinated children.
Vaccine preventable diseases
The table below describes vaccine-preventable diseases. Many are often fatal. Children become immune or protected from these diseases by regularly scheduled vaccines that begin at birth and continue through early adulthood. Learn more about vaccine preventable diseases below:
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COVID-19
Contagious respiratory illness caused by a new virus. Symptoms include fever, coughing, & difficulty breathing. The vaccine was developed in 2020.
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Diphtheria
Serious infection of the nose and throat. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, sore throat, fever and weakness. The vaccine was developed in the 1930s.
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Tetanus
Serious bacterial infection that causes painful muscle spasms and can cause the neck and jaw muscles to lock. Symptoms include painful muscle spasms and difficulty swallowing. The vaccine was developed in 1940.
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Pertussis
Also known as “whooping cough,” pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory illness known for strong, uncontrollable coughing. Symptoms include strong cough, nasal congestion and sneezing. The vaccine was developed in 1914.
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Hepatitis A
Liver infection often caused by contaminated food or water. Symptoms include tiredness, nausea, stomach pain and fever. The vaccine was developed in 1995.
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Hepatitis B
Liver infection caused by exposure to infected bodily fluids, such as blood. Symptoms include yellowing eyes, stomach pain and dark urine. The vaccine was developed in 1986.
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Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
Bacterial infection of the brain and spinal cord can cause deafness and brain damage. Symptoms include fever, headache, stiff neck and tiredness. The vaccine was developed in 1985.
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Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Sexually transmitted infection that can cause cervical and oral cancers, as well as genital and anal cancers. Symptoms can include genital warts. There are often no symptoms at all. The vaccine was developed in 2006.
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Influenza
Viral infection that affects the lungs, nose and throat. Symptoms include fever, chills, muscle aches, cough and congestion. The vaccine was developed in 1945.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every year.
One of the best ways to protect your child from flu is to get them an influenza vaccine. With flu season approaching, now is the ideal time to get a flu shot. We encourage all patients to get immunized before the end of October in order to be protected.
MultiCare offers flu shots for both adults and children at a wide range of locations throughout the Puget Sound and Inland Northwest regions, including Mary Bridge clinics.
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Meningococcal
Bacterial infection that affects the brain and spinal cord and can even affect the bloodstream. Symptoms include fever, headache and stiff neck. The vaccine was developed in 1974.
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Measles
Very contagious viral disease that spreads through the air. Symptoms include cough, runny nose, fever and red rashes. The vaccine was developed in 1963.
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Mumps
Contagious viral disease that causes swelling of the salivary glands in the mouth. Symptoms include fever, headache, swollen cheeks/jaws and tiredness. The vaccine was developed in 1967.
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Rubella
Contagious viral disease. Symptoms include fever, sore throat and rash. The vaccine was developed in 1969.
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Pneumococcal
Serious bacterial infection that can cause pneumonia and ear and sinus infections. Symptoms include fever, cough, chest pain, and chills. The vaccine was developed in 1977.
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Polio
Serious viral disease that causes paralysis and is often fatal. Symptoms include muscle weakness, breathing/swallowing problems and tiredness. The vaccine was developed in 1955.
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Rotavirus
Contagious viral illness that causes severe diarrhea, stomach pain, vomiting and fever. The vaccine was developed in 1998.
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Varicella, or chickenpox
Very contagious viral disease that causes rashes, itching, tiredness and fever. The vaccine was developed in 1995.