THE vaccination is an extremely important procedure, because, through it, the organism is stimulated to protect itself of certain diseases. Due to the greater vulnerability of children and babies, their vaccination must strictly follow the country's existing vaccination schedule. However, it is important to emphasize that adults should also be aware of the calendar, as some vaccines must also be administered at this stage of life. O Brazil features one of the largest vaccination programs in the world, making available vaccines against various diseases in the public network.
→ Constitution and mechanism of action of the vaccine
During vaccination, the vaccine administration, which acts on our body by stimulating the immune system The prepare the defense against the infectious agent in question. Thus, when the organism comes in contact with this agent, it will respond faster and more intensely to fight it. The vaccine is a substance consisting of:
- Immunizing agents: can be bacteria dead or attenuated, virus attenuated or inactivated, as well as fractions of these agents. Depending on the vaccine, it may contain one or more of these agents.
- Suspension liquid: it usually consists of distilled water or physiological saline solution.
- Preservatives, stabilizers and antibiotics: preservatives are used to prevent contamination of the vaccine. Stabilizers are used in vaccines where infectious agents are attenuated. And finally, some antibiotics can be found in small amounts, as they are used to prevent the growth of contaminants.
- Adjuvants: they are used to increase the power of action of some vaccines and consist of compounds containing aluminum.
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Vaccination history
Vaccines emerged mainly due to the need for decrease the number of deaths caused by communicable diseases. The history of immunization is initially marked by the search for control of smallpox, a disease known since the dawn of humanity, around 10,000 years a. a., and that decimated diverse populations.
the beginning of history of smallpox immunization refers to China, where health professionals inoculated scabs or pus from sick individuals into healthy people so that they developed a mild form of the disease because they believed that people who survived smallpox did not get sick again.
However, the technique was risky, as many developed the severe form of the disease and died. Still, this technique was extremely important for future research on immunization. Among them we can highlight the research of the British doctor Edward Jenner (1749-1823), considered the first to be carried out with scientific methods and who are credited with vaccine discovery.
Jenner's research was done following what many believed: the peasants who worked with cattle did not develop the disease, just a few wounds similar to those found in cattle that had a similar disease. So the doctor inoculated pus from the lesions of a milking machine into an eight-year-old boy, who developed a small infection, which quickly healed. Then the same boy was inoculated with smallpox pus, and he did not develop the disease.
Therefore, he made several tests over a period of two years (1796-1798) and, before satisfactory results, started the immunization in children. At first the results were not well accepted, which changed over time.
For a long time, inoculation was done in some people and then it was carried out based on the material extracted from the wounds of previously inoculated persons, passing, arm to arm, the inoculations.
Years later, in 1870, given the results of studies of Pasteur and Koch on the relationship between the presence of pathogenic microorganisms and diseases, new techniques were developed to attenuate the causative agent of the disease and, thus, to make the inoculation. This technique developed by Pasteur and his collaborators gave rise to the vaccine concept and yours large scale production.
Vaccination in Brazil
In Brazil, it is believed that the history of vaccination begins in the year of 1804 with the arrival of smallpox vaccine. O vaccination map oldest in Brazil dates from 1820, indicating the vaccination of 2,688 people, the first in mass in the country.
However, from 1830 onwards, this number began to decline amid various controversies, which generated a phobia to vaccination. Thus, in 1846, through a imperial decree, this act became mandatory nationwide.
However, the resistance to vaccination continued. In 1904, the publication of an extremely strict decree on mandatory vaccination, with threats of fines and summary dismissal, triggered the well-known Vaccine Revolt.
Thus, November 11, 1904, was marked, as the performance of an act in opposition to such measures ended up generating clashes with the police that lasted for days, ending with many people processed, arrested, injured and even killed.
Years later, with the change in the form of action and the advent of Unified Health System (SUS), creation of the Ministry of Health and the National Immunization Program, this reality began to change. With the population's awareness of the importance of vaccination, many diseases (such as measles, tuberculosis and tetanus) were controlled and others (spox and polio) eradicated.
However, misinformation publicized in various media have resurrected anti-vaccination movements worldwide, which has led to the appearance of many cases of diseases that were already under control.
Importance of vaccination
THE vaccination it is one of the main forms of protection against diseases caused by viruses and bacteria, which can be serious and even lead to death. In this way, vaccines stimulate our immune system preparing to defense against an infectious agent causing a certain disease.
Many people today still have fear of vaccines, due to the reactions they can cause or the amount of them administered in a short period, especially in children. If there is this fear, the ideal is to talk to this professional so that he can clarify the existing doubts, as the lack of vaccination can cause serious problems and, as mentioned, even death.
The lack of vaccination is not just a problem for those who do not vaccinate, but for the entire population, as the greater the number of people immunized, the lower the risk of disease outbreaks. In addition, it is important to highlight that the lack of vaccination can increase cases of diseases that were already under control.
This can be seen, for example, by the increase in measles cases in the world. In the first quarter of 2019, this number increased 300%. In Brazil, the number of cases has also increased. the lack of vaccination by the Brazilian population (even though it is available in the public health system) has increased the number of cases of this disease, which was already under control in the country.
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child vaccination
THE vaccination child is of extreme importance, due to the greater vulnerability of children and babies to diseases. It is important to highlight that this vulnerability is even greater in the first year of life. Thus, vaccination must be carried out strictly following the vaccination schedule, as we will see later, to avoid illnesses that can be serious.
Many vaccines can cause some reactions, likefever and local pain, due to some components they have. Therefore, it is important to inquire with the health agent about the possible reactions that can arise and the post-vaccine care. It is also essential to inform the health agent if the child has any restriction to some possible component of the vaccine.
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vaccination schedule
O Brazil it is one of the countries that have one of the biggest vaccination programs in the world, with many effective vaccines against various diseases available to the population in the public network.
As soon as the child is born, he receives the child's health booklet, which indicates the vaccines that should be taken at certain stages of their development, in addition to other important information.
In addition to the vaccines determined in this booklet, others vaccination campaigns may arise, being indicated for different age groups, as is the case of annual vaccines against the H1N1 flu and the polio.
Furthermore, it is not only necessary to pay attention to the vaccination of children. Women of childbearing age (rubella and tetanus), seniors (the flu, pneumonia and tetanus) and Health professionals they should be aware of important vaccines that must be administered. So, always talk to a doctor and seek guidance on the vaccines that should be taken at different stages of life or risk situations (as in travels).
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