A vaccine is a small amount of germs that is used to improve the body’s disease-fighting system (immune system). Vaccines are often given as a shot (vaccination). When you get a vaccine, your body forms proteins (antibodies) to fight the germs. A vaccine can lower your risk of getting a disease and help you avoid getting sick.
WHAT IS INVOLVED IN GETTING A VACCINE?
Most vaccines are given as a shot, usually in your arm. Vaccines are quick and usually do not hurt. If they do hurt, it feels like a tiny skin prick or pinch. Sometimes, you may be able to take a vaccine by mouth or as a nasal spray.
You can get a vaccine at your health care provider’s office, or sometimes at a local clinic at a hospital, school, or …show more content…
• Hepatitis A and B.
Vaccines are safe and effective. The antibodies that your body makes in response to a vaccine stay in your body for a long time. This improves your body’s ability to fight the germs in the future. If you get exposed to the germs again, your antibodies may be able to destroy the germs before you get sick. Sometimes, you can get sick even if you have been vaccinated. If you do get sick, your illness should be much milder than it would have been without the vaccine.
Getting vaccinated also helps keep other people healthy, including people who are not able to get vaccines. If you are vaccinated, you cannot spread disease to others. This can make the disease less common.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF VACCINES?
The risks of vaccines are very mild. Some vaccines contain weakened, live viruses, so there is a very small chance that you could get a very mild case of the disease. Some vaccines contain killed viruses, which means that you cannot get sick, but you may develop some symptoms.
Some possible risks of vaccines include:
• Soreness, bruising, swelling, or redness at the place where you got the shot.
• A low fever.
• Vomiting.
• Tiredness (fatigue) or generally feeling weak.
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