Immunization Awareness Month
Firstly, immunizations help protect the person who is receiving them. Immunizations function by introducing a microbe to the immune system. Often, this microbe is weakened so as not to harm the person receiving it. I have had it explained to me in a colorful way by Amelie Hollier, DNP, FNP-BC, FAANP (Cofounder of Advanced Practice Education Associates). She said, “It’s like they took the virus and beat it over the head with a baseball bat.” Immunizations allow the body’s immune system to meet the threat but in a safer situation. The body’s immune system then does what it was made to do and builds immunity against the microbe. Then, if the body is exposed to this in the future, it is prepared to fight! When the body first meets the virus (or other microbe), it takes weeks to build immunity. But, if the body has been vaccinated before, the immune system can be ready much more quickly. This means the individual will be less likely to become acutely ill from the virus. Often, the symptoms are so mild the person may not even realize they were infected with the virus. Additionally, they are much less likely to develop sequelae from the virus (otitis media, pneumonia, etc.)
Secondly, immunizations help the community. One way this is true is that when a person is immunized, they are less likely to become ill and less likely to spread this illness to others. Herd immunity is a term that is used to describe a related phenomenon. Consider a person who is not immunized and/or is medically frail. When everyone around them is immunized, they form a type of protection for that person from the possible threat. Finally, when the population is immunized against a virus or other microbe, they are less likely to become ill. This also benefits the community because the potential medical treatment cost is greatly reduced. For example, the average cost of an immunization against influenza in 2023 was between $25-$90. With many insurances, the individual incurs no cost for influenza immunization since it is a preventative treatment. Meanwhile, the average hospitalization for influenza in 2023 costs between $11,384 and $14,494. While immunizations cost very little, they greatly impact both the health of our patients and our community!
Note to providers: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website has a wealth of information and helpful tools. It includes quizzes, posters, immunization schedules, and educational resources that can be shared with patients to educate them on the immense value of immunizations.
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niam/index.html
Anna Blevins, NP-C
