Vaccines: Key messages
Why vaccines are important
Vaccination is the most important thing we can do to protect ourselves and our children against ill health. They prevent up to 3 million deaths worldwide every year.
Since vaccines were introduced in the UK, diseases like smallpox, polio and tetanus that used to kill or disable millions of people are either gone or seen very rarely.
Other diseases like measles and diphtheria have been reduced by up to 99.9% since their vaccines were introduced.
However, if people stop having vaccines, it's possible for infectious diseases to quickly spread again.
Information:
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has listed vaccine hesitancy as one of the biggest threats to global health.
Vaccine hesitancy is where people with access to vaccines delay or refuse vaccination.
How vaccines work
Vaccines teach your immune system how to create antibodies that protect you from diseases.
It's much safer for your immune system to learn this through vaccination than by catching the diseases and treating them.
Once your immune system knows how to fight a disease, it can often protect you for many years.
NHS vaccinations and when to have them
People are able to get their vaccine according to the NHS vaccination schedule.
It's important that vaccines are given on time for the best protection, but if you or your child missed a vaccine, contact your GP to catch up.
Useful links about the COVID-19 vaccine:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
How to get a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine - NHS (www.nhs.uk)