Dear Editor,
Vaccines save lives and prevent disease. August is immunization month; a time to remind our community of the importance of immunizing. Over 200 years ago the development of vaccines started, saving the lives of many. Today vaccine preventable diseases are at a record low; thanks to those who vaccinate.
Immunity is the protection against disease, and many people still believe that getting a disease and having natural immunity is the better way to claim that protection. However, when a safe vaccine is available, people need to weight the cost of natural immunity to vaccine induced immunity. Although vaccines are not 100% effective, the cost of natural immunity could be your life.
People need to remember all the lives that were lost prior to the invention of vaccines. Even if there are only a few cases of disease today, if we take away the protection given by vaccines, more people could become ill and then spread disease to others. Soon we will undo the progress we have made over the years.
It has been said that immunizations have saved more lives than any other health intervention. Immunizing is the single most cost effective health investment, making it a foundation in the effort to promote health. Don’t spread disease, immunize on time to save lives.
Mindy Schwarz
Public Health Nurse Lincoln County