How do vaccines work to prevent diseases like measles?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am curious about the importance of vaccines, particularly for measles. Can you explain how vaccination and immunization contribute to public health? Why is it crucial to stay updated with these vaccines?

Please advise.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Vaccines play a crucial role in maintaining public health by preventing the spread of infectious diseases, including measles.

How do vaccination and immunization contribute to public health?

Prevent diseases by stimulating the body's immune system to recognize and fight pathogens like viruses and bacteria. For measles, the measles vaccine (often given as part of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, which also protects against mumps and rubella) is essential.

When a significant portion of the population is vaccinated, it creates herd immunity. This means that even those who cannot be vaccinated (such as infants, pregnant women, or immunocompromised individuals) are protected because the spread of contagious diseases is minimized. Widespread vaccination has led to the near-elimination of many infectious diseases. For example, before the introduction of the measles vaccine, millions of cases occurred annually. Now, due to high vaccination rates, outbreaks are rare and usually limited to pockets of unvaccinated individuals. Vaccination not only protects individuals but also future generations.

The importance of staying updated with vaccine

Ensure continued immunity: Staying updated with vaccines ensures continued immunity through booster doses.
Protect against the latest variants: Keeping up-to-date with vaccines ensures protection against the latest variants of viruses or bacteria.
Prevent disease resurgence: If vaccination rates drop, diseases that were once under control can resurface. Measles, for example, can quickly spread in communities with low vaccination coverage, leading to outbreaks.

Impact of the measles vaccination

Effectiveness of the MMR vaccine: The MMR vaccine is about 97 percent effective at preventing measles after two doses, making it a highly effective public health tool. Failure to receive the MMR vaccine can lead to serious health complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis (brain inflammation), and death, particularly in young children. So get the MMR vaccine as soon as you can.

I hope this information helps you, and please reach out if you have any doubts.

Thank you.