A vaccine is a weakened or killed pathogen that allows the body to produce antibodies to fight off the disease. Vaccines can be received in a variety of forms; by needle injection, mouth, or aerosol. A vaccine is essentially a harmless exposure to a disease that will provide a quicker and more effective response when the person is exposed to it.
There is a lot of skepticism concerning vaccines due to the ingredients they are composed of. Yes, there are trace amounts of chemicals in them but that is so the vaccine is preserved, and that no harmful bacteria or viruses end up in your vaccine. The ingredients in vaccines are completely safe. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institute of Health, and more federal agencies regularly monitor them to keep them safe (cdc.gov). Research is also done frequently to ensure that they remain very effective.
Along with the weakened pathogen, there are other ingredients that it's good to be aware of. Here's a breakdown of the substances commonly found in United States vaccines and their purpose.
Aluminum Gels or Salts are added to make the immune response more powerful to the vaccine that is administered. This will allow a person to have a more effective immune response when later exposed to the real disease.
Antibiotics prevent the growth of germs during the production and storage of the vaccine.
Egg Protein is prepared using chicken eggs, and is commonly found in influenza and yellow fever vaccines. This is used to help grow the "good" substance used in the vaccine which causes your body to produce antibodies.
Formaldehyde is used to inactivate bacterial products and kill unwanted viruses that could contaminate the vaccine. Most of the Formaldehyde is removed before the vaccine is packaged, only a tiny amount is left when the process is completed.
Monosodium Glutamate is a stabilizer that is used to help preserve the vaccine when it is exposed to different light, heat, and humidity conditions. This causes the vaccine to remain effective.
Thimerosol is another preservative that prevents growth of unwanted bacteria.
Every substance found in a vaccine is safe for the human body in small amounts. Talk to your doctor if you are allergic to any of the listed ingredients.
There is a lot of skepticism concerning vaccines due to the ingredients they are composed of. Yes, there are trace amounts of chemicals in them but that is so the vaccine is preserved, and that no harmful bacteria or viruses end up in your vaccine. The ingredients in vaccines are completely safe. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institute of Health, and more federal agencies regularly monitor them to keep them safe (cdc.gov). Research is also done frequently to ensure that they remain very effective.
Along with the weakened pathogen, there are other ingredients that it's good to be aware of. Here's a breakdown of the substances commonly found in United States vaccines and their purpose.
Aluminum Gels or Salts are added to make the immune response more powerful to the vaccine that is administered. This will allow a person to have a more effective immune response when later exposed to the real disease.
Antibiotics prevent the growth of germs during the production and storage of the vaccine.
Egg Protein is prepared using chicken eggs, and is commonly found in influenza and yellow fever vaccines. This is used to help grow the "good" substance used in the vaccine which causes your body to produce antibodies.
Formaldehyde is used to inactivate bacterial products and kill unwanted viruses that could contaminate the vaccine. Most of the Formaldehyde is removed before the vaccine is packaged, only a tiny amount is left when the process is completed.
Monosodium Glutamate is a stabilizer that is used to help preserve the vaccine when it is exposed to different light, heat, and humidity conditions. This causes the vaccine to remain effective.
Thimerosol is another preservative that prevents growth of unwanted bacteria.
Every substance found in a vaccine is safe for the human body in small amounts. Talk to your doctor if you are allergic to any of the listed ingredients.