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738 Workplace Hygiene and Illness Prevention Program Management
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Vaccines

Immunization is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions to date, averting an estimated 2 to 3 million deaths every year.

Vaccines help your body build an immunity to a disease before you get sick.

Vaccines are one of the greatest public health achievements. Vaccines help your body build an immunity to a disease before you get sick. They contain traces of an agent or an agent that resembles a disease-causing microorganism. This allows your body to detect the invading pathogens and produce antibodies to fight them. Vaccines help build up your immune system. It is important to get vaccinated to help protect yourself and those around you. The health and life expectancy of populations have improved since the development of vaccines.

Note: It is important to consult your healthcare provider regarding your immunization status.

Examples of illnesses that vaccines help prevent include:

  • Influenza (flu) - Flu Vaccine
  • Measles - MMR Vaccine
  • Pertussis (Whooping Cough) - DTaP and Tdap Vaccines
  • Varicella (Chicken Pox) - VAR Vaccine
  • Hepatitis B - HepB Vaccine

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

3-2. Vaccines help build up your _____.