A vaccine can be defined in simple terms as a medication that is used to prepare the body's immune system to fight against deadly diseases, it is given to the individual either by injection, orally or by inhaling it into the nose.

The immune system is made up of cells, tissues and organs that acts as the first line of defence against disease causing germs, much like the military is on the alert and protects our country from enemies or the defence in the game of soccer whose purpose is to prevent the opposing team from scoring a goal.

Now that we have a better idea about the immune system, this is where vaccines are needed as they not only strengthen the immune system, they also make it possible to fight deadly diseases without having to suffer from ill health.

Nature has a cure for everything, when we suffer from illnesses the immune system learns how to fight against the disease so that you do not suffer from the same illness again in future but this is not enough as there are millions of people dying around the world because they did not get the vaccination that would save their lives.

Most of us do not realise that getting vaccinated is not just about protecting yourself, it helps to keep deadly diseases from spreading to your family and friends.

People with weak immune systems including children and older adults are likely to suffer from harmful illnesses and that is the reason why vaccination is essential to maintain good health.

Getting vaccinated makes a difference as it enables one to not only be protected against sickness, we do not have to worry about taking extended sick leaves at work which can result in loss of pay and having to live with the fear of who will pay the bills.

Vaccines like everything else in life has its plus and minus points, it must be noted that vaccines play an important role in keeping us safe from deadly diseases but we must be aware not all vaccines are the same and they can affect individuals by causing an allergic response to the vaccine depending upon your current health condition.

Studies have shown that getting vaccinated is not the end of getting a life threatening disease, there are chances of getting sick even after you have been vaccinated for an illness.

Besides, getting vaccinated can have some side effects which some of us may have experienced such as swelling, redness of the skin, swelling of the place where you received the injection, this could either be due to excessive fear of getting an injection which could make the nurse giving the injection nervous and in the process being unable to complete the vaccination correctly.

Some people may also suffer from fever, being unable to get a good night's sleep, feeling tired even when they have not done any physical activities and feeling confused and being unable to remember what you were doing during the day.

In the end, vaccines are there to keep us safe and those who decide that that they do not need vaccination, are at risk of an early death.