Vaksinat

Vaksinat, or vaccination, is the process of administering a vaccine to stimulate the body's immune system to develop protection against specific infectious diseases. Vaccination seeks to produce active immunity without causing the disease itself.

Most vaccines contain antigens derived from a pathogen or instructions for the body's cells to produce them. After vaccination, the immune system recognizes these antigens and builds a memory, enabling a faster and stronger response if exposed to the real pathogen.

Vaccine types include live attenuated, inactivated (killed), subunit or toxoid, conjugate, mRNA, viral-vector, and DNA vaccines. Some use adjuvants to enhance immune response. Vaccination schedules specify timing and number of doses.

Safety and regulation: Vaccines undergo preclinical studies and phased clinical trials before licensing. Regulatory agencies assess safety and efficacy. Post-licensing surveillance monitors adverse events. Most side effects are mild; serious events are rare.

Impact: Widespread vaccination reduces disease incidence, protects individuals who cannot be vaccinated, and can lead to herd immunity, contributing to disease control and, in some cases, eradication (as with smallpox) or elimination (such as measles in some regions). Challenges include misinformation, vaccine access, and logistical hurdles.