News on How to Handle Vaccines

By : Ashley Muoz
July 30, 2013

What do you really know about vaccines?

This article will give you more knowledge about the vaccinations that you and your loved ones have received and will receive in the future. Furthermore, you may learn how you can protect yourself against unknown components of vaccines that some health officials fail to tell us about. Not to mention, how to become more knowledgeable on how vaccines work. First, I will discuss why this issue came to be such a strong concern of mine. Last summer, I was shocked to find out that I could not register for any courses at the current university I attend unless I received the meningitis vaccine. This was news to me, I had no idea that this had become a mandatory procedure in order to enroll for classes at this university. What was even more astounding to me was the fact that this had become protocol for all universities in the state of Texas. I could not fathom that my two choices were: to succumb to the meningitis vaccine, or quit school. I decided, apprehensively, to go ahead with my first option. Before I knew it, I was sitting on a chair with a needle in my arm. Unaware of the vaccine ingredients and any possible side effects I could have experienced, I wondered how other patients tolerated this procedure without being informed of the possible side effects. However, the fact that a health official did not discuss possible side effects of this vaccine with me could have been a mere coincidence. Needless to say, the day to follow the administration of the mandatory meningitis vaccine, was a day I will never forget. This is true for the next couple of days to follow that, presumably. For these, few days I was severely nauseous and unable to get myself out of bed. Not to mention, the pounding migraine that was not hindered despite all the pain medication I taken. Eventually, I got back on my feet but because no one discussed possible side effects with me I was left unaware of why my body reacted in such a way.

How do vaccines work?

Surely, their job is not to keep one feeling lethargic and nauseous for multiple days at a time. Health officials say vaccines expose people safely to germs, so that they can become protected from a disease but not come down with the disease. In other words, these germs are considered safe because they are usually weakened by chemicals, so that the body does not actually become ill due to administration of the vaccine. Consequently, the body now has developed antibodies to fight off future germs with their full potential.

What should be done in order to ensure vaccine safety for all individuals?
Health officials should conduct further research on the patient, as to make the vaccine individualized rather than taking a one size fits all approach. Because all people and all health histories are unique, these given vaccinations may not be responded to in the same manner. This is a serious health issue that we must consider and tackle as a way to ensure public health safety.

all people and health histories are unique

What can you do?

Before going in to receive any vaccine do some research of your own. Find out the name of this vaccine and find out what ingredients are in the vaccine and if you are allergic to any. A list of vaccine ingredients should be given to you at the time of your vaccine administration. This sheet is known as the Vaccine Information Statement (VIS), this should also include possible side effects of the vaccine. Furthermore, find out how they can affect people, or if there are any contraindications for this vaccine. The key is to identify yourself as an individual and to not assume that you will have the same response to a vaccine as the next person. Also, do not fail to ask your doctor about vaccines and if they are safe for you.

References

NY.gov. Department of Health, (2011). How do vaccines work?. Retrieved from NY.gov website: http://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/immunization/how_vaccines_work.htm The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, (2013)Different types of vaccines. Retrieved from http://www.historyofvaccines.org/content/articles/different-types-vaccines (2008, December 03). Child vaccinations- The doctors debate [Web Video]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMrFV2rnHlo

Ashley Muoz University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TX, 79902 Ammunoz3@miners.utep.edu