Meaning of Vaccines: Definition, Types, and Side Effects

Kapanlagi.com - In this Covid-19 pandemic era, vaccines have become something very popular. Yes, vaccines are needed to strengthen our immune system. However, do KLovers know what vaccines mean? Yes, vaccines are biological preparations used to produce adaptive immunity against certain infectious diseases.

Therefore, it is not surprising that vaccines are very much needed during this pandemic. For KLovers who want to know more about the meaning of vaccines, you can read this article. In addition to the meaning of vaccines, types, and also the side effects we experience during vaccination.

Therefore, according to various sources, here is an explanation of the meaning of vaccines along with the types of vaccines, conditions for vaccination, and the side effects of vaccines.

1. Definition of Vaccines

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As explained above, the meaning of vaccines is biological preparations used to produce adaptive immunity against certain infectious diseases. Therefore, vaccines are needed to make our bodies more resistant to a disease.

Usually, vaccines contain agents or substances that resemble the microorganisms that cause the disease and are often made from weakened or killed microorganisms, their toxins, or one of their surface proteins.

The administration of vaccines is called vaccination, which is one form of immunization. Vaccination is the most effective method for preventing infectious diseases. Usually, vaccines that are mandatory for the body are, smallpox, polio, measles, and tetanus vaccines.

2. Types of Vaccines

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Well, in addition to knowing the meaning of vaccines, KLovers can also learn about the types of vaccines. Yes, there are various types of vaccines based on their contents. As quoted from alodokter.com, here are the types of vaccines that KLovers can know and understand.

1. Inactivated Vaccine

An inactivated vaccine, also called a non-live vaccine, is a type of vaccine that contains viruses or bacteria that have been killed by heat, radiation, or chemicals. This process keeps the virus or germ intact, but it cannot reproduce and cause disease in the body.

2. Live Attenuated Vaccine

Unlike inactivated vaccines, the viruses or bacteria contained in live attenuated vaccines are not killed, but weakened. These viruses or bacteria will not cause disease, but can multiply and stimulate the body to react to the immune system. Live attenuated vaccines can provide stronger immunity and lifelong protection even if given only once or twice.

3. Toxoid Vaccine

The toxoid vaccine functions to counteract the toxic effects of the bacteria. This vaccine is made from bacterial toxins that have been specially processed to be harmless to the body, but still capable of stimulating the body to form immunity against the toxin produced by the bacteria.

4. Vector Virus Vaccine

This type of vaccine also contains proteins from the genetic material of the virus, but the protein is attached to another virus body. This virus is not harmful to the body. Its presence is only as a carrier protein and stimulant of the immune system.

5. Subunit Vaccine

The subunit vaccine uses specific parts of bacteria or viruses, such as substances from its outer layer. After the body recognizes these parts, the immune system will create antibodies that will fight bacterial or viral infections in the future.

6. mRNA Vaccine

The mRNA vaccine, or messenger ribonucleic acid, is a type of vaccine that contains proteins from the genetic material of the virus to trigger an immune response.

3. Conditions for Vaccination

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Well, it turns out KLovers also need to see what conditions must be met to get vaccinated. Yes, vaccines are given to protect the body from various infectious diseases that may be fatal. And here are some conditions for people who are required and eligible to get vaccinated.

1. Infants

2. Children

3. Seniors over 65 years old.

4. Suffering from chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease.

5. Pregnant or breastfeeding.

6. Having a weak immune system, such as due to chemotherapy, a history of organ transplant surgery, or HIV infection.

7. Working in a high-risk place for infection, such as a hospital or clinical laboratory.

8. Have not received previous mandatory immunizations.

4. Vaccine Side Effects

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There are some side effects after receiving a vaccine. For those of you who have received the Covid-19 vaccine, you must have felt the side effects on your body. Usually, people who have been vaccinated will experience side effects such as nausea, dizziness, and vomiting.

This happens because the body responds as if there is an infection. And this is a normal thing, KLovers. This means that the vaccine is successful because the body responds to the vaccine that comes into your body.

That is the explanation of the meaning of vaccines that KLovers can know and understand. Along with the types of vaccines, the conditions for vaccination, and the side effects of vaccines.

(kpl/dhm)