Vaccinations can reduce the risk of serious infectious diseases by exposing the body to pathogens early on so that it learns to recognise them. That is why vaccinations are one of the most important precautions you should take to protect yourself and others – even if you hate needles. An overview.
Why it makes sense to get vaccinated
When a vaccine is administered, your immune system encounters part of the pathogen or information about it. This allows your body to develop an immune response. If you subsequently come into contact with the pathogen, your immune system can react faster and more effectively. After a vaccination, you may experience temporary symptoms such as pain at the injection site, fever, aching limbs or tiredness. These are signs that your immune system has been activated and is responding to the vaccine.
For some contagious diseases, having a high vaccination rate in the population helps to limit their spread; this is known as herd immunity. The more people are vaccinated against diseases that are transmitted from person to person, the less prevalent these diseases become in society, because the pathogens are unable to spread. The best-known example is smallpox.
Routine vaccinations under the vaccination schedule
Babies, children and adolescents
To protect the body against potentially dangerous diseases as early as possible, most vaccinations are given in childhood or adolescence.
«It is important to me to provide clear and honest advice on vaccinations, enabling people to make informed decisions that benefit both themselves and the wider community.»
