Vaccines have been proven to be an effective means of preventing deadly diseases by enhancing the natural immunity of the body. Programs of vaccines across the globe have resulted in improved overall health by minimizing the transmission of diseases, reducing disability, and minimizing the rate of infant mortality. Despite their significance, several myths have been spread about vaccines, creating so much controversy regarding their use. Here are the top five travel vaccination myths debunked.
- Vaccination Is Unnecessary If A Disease Does Is Non-Existence
When traveling, it is important to get vaccinated whether or not a disease exists in your country of destination. Infectious agents that circulate in one region could quickly show up in another given the fact that today’s world is interconnected. For instance, if a person is a carrier of an Ebola virus, this could quickly spread throughout the region and those around could easily get the disease. Therefore, when traveling out of your homeland, you need to make sure you are vaccinated against all possible illnesses whether or not diseases exist in your place of destination. You can get vaccinated at your local travel clinic, such as London Vaccination Clinic.
- Infections Help in Building Immunity
Some people don’t get immunized when traveling because they believe that infections build their immunity better as opposed to vaccines. The truth is, vaccines are meant to produce optimum immunity against infections. Getting an infection poses a higher risk to your health, especially if the disease is a fatal one.
- A Vaccine Can Cause Illness
It is less likely that you are going to become ill after being vaccinated. Most vaccines are not activated and, therefore, it is impossible to contract an illness. There are some vaccines which contain live organism and could result in mild cases of illnesses, but the outcome is not life-threatening. Additionally, side effects such as developing a rash is always a good sign that the vaccine is working.
- Vaccines Are No Longer Required If Hygiene Is Maintained
Most travelers believe that vaccination is not necessary as long as they are able to maintain proper hygiene. Clean water and food can help in preventing illnesses, but unfortunately, these are not sufficient when it comes to preventing diseases. Vaccine-preventable diseases can spread even in the most hygienic conditions. Infections like polio, whooping cough, and measles could easily spread in places and conditions that are considered to be highly hygienic.
- You Don’t Need To Be Vaccinated If Everyone Else Is Already Immune
Herd immunity usually occurs when the entire population in a specific area is immunized against infectious diseases, reducing the probability of an outbreak occurring. If you believe you don’t require vaccination because everyone else in your place of destination is immunized, or an entire country has been immunized against a certain disease, then you are wrong. Chances are there are more people who depend on herd immunity to prevent themselves from diseases. In such a case, immunity can disappear and you could easily get infected.
Last Words
The above information shows why myths about vaccinations can be misleading. When traveling abroad, you need to make sure you are adequately vaccinated because you could easily contract an infection while you are away from home.