The Role of Immunizations

Immunizations are crucial and provide a variety of useful roles in the body. However, if you have additional immunization questions about vaccines for your child, it’s wise to speak with a medical professional. Contact the pediatric office of Frank R. Baum, MD, Inc. in Kahului, Maui, Hawaii.

Let’s take a look at the many vital things vaccinations provide.

Train the Body to Fight Disease

The key role of vaccines is to prepare the body to fight various diseases. Vaccinations can provide protection against viruses, which otherwise are hard to treat. A weakened or disabled virus or other microbe, or a part of a virus is introduced to the body. This allows the immune system to learn about the microbe and develop defenses against it. Besides viruses, vaccines can help with other microbes as well, such as bacteria.

Adults typically get sick less often and not as severely as children in part because their body is trained to deal with many microbes that a child's immune system has not yet learned to deal with. Vaccines can help adult immune systems defend against unfamiliar microbes. They can also help a child’s immune system learn and grow.

Encourage Herd Immunity

Widespread vaccinations make it more difficult for microbes to spread. Unfortunately, some people cannot take vaccines for various reasons. A child that must take immunotherapy medications to suppress the immune system may not be able to take certain vaccines, for example. When children around them are vaccinated, it makes it less likely that immunocompromised or otherwise unvaccinated people will catch the specific disease.

Herd immunity can be especially crucial in areas with high population density or where people gather because diseases can spread more easily. Unfortunately, schools can be the perfect breeding ground for viruses and other microbes. If you and your family reside in or near Maui, HI, and you want to schedule childhood-teenage immunizations, get in touch with the pediatric office of Frank R. Baum, M.D., Inc.

Slow the Evolution of Diseases

Viruses and bacteria evolve over time. Unfortunately, some microbes become more dangerous or contagious. Some may also evolve to become resistant to medications, like certain antibiotics. By slowing the spread of diseases, it’s also possible to impede the evolution of microbes. This can help protect society as a whole. 

Ultimately, vaccines save lives. Of course, there are important considerations when deciding who should receive vaccinations. Questions and concerns are common. We invite parents with children living in the greater Maui, HI, area who have questions regarding immunizations to dial (808) 871-7116 to contact Frank R. Baum, M.D., Inc.