What are Required Immunizations?

Required immunizations, also known as vaccinations, are vaccines that must be obtained before some action can be taken. Vaccinations play an essential role in society because they can make an individual immune to a disease, which can prevent the spread of that infection throughout a group, and eventually the disease could be eliminated. Vaccinations are often required for school, work, and travel. It is important to note that the required vaccinations in one place may differ from those in another due to differences in health risks.

A vaccine is a medication developed from an agent that normally causes disease, such as a virus or bacteria. Such medications are produced because they can protect a person from infection, help control the spread of disease, and perhaps even eradicate a disease. This is possible because the medications are only produced from a portion of the infectious agent or from one which has been killed. When this is introduced into the body, it is provided with an identity and the body learns how to react to it. Then, if the body encounters that virus or bacteria in the future in an active form, the person will be immune.

This possibility of preventing diseases that have not occurred yet is the reason for required immunizations. There are several instances when peoples' activities may be restricted if they do not obtain certain vaccines. A prime example is when a child is ready to enter school.

There is usually a schedule of vaccinations parents are advised to obtain for their children beginning very early in life. Many of these are designed to prevent childhood diseases. Whether or not a child gets her vaccinations during her early years may not be monitored. When she gets ready to attend school, however, she may find that many of those immunizations were required and she will not be able to attend until she gets them.

International travelers are often subjected to a list of required immunizations. This is necessary because there are illnesses common in some places that are not common in others. If a person travels to a foreign destination where there are diseases not common in her home country, without vaccinations, she is at risk and can pose a risk to others. She may contract the infection and she may return to her country and spread it to other people. Aggravating matters is the fact that in her country there may not be sufficient medical supplies to treat the illness.

Required immunizations are also common in certain occupations, such as health care. Workers are exposed to many sick people and may become infected without protection. If the workers become infected, there is the risk that they will infect other patients and spread their infections throughout their communities.