Vaksinimi

Vaksinimi (vaccination) is the process of administering a vaccine to stimulate the immune system to recognize and fight specific pathogens. Through targeted exposure to antigens, vaccination aims to prevent infectious diseases and reduce their spread. It is a key component of modern public health and disease control.

Most vaccines work by introducing harmless versions or components of a pathogen, or by using genetic instructions, to train the immune system without causing the illness. This training leads to the production of antibodies and memory immune cells that respond quickly if real exposure occurs. Vaccines may be live attenuated, inactivated, subunit, toxoid, conjugate, or nucleic acid–based.

Vaccines are delivered by various routes, most commonly intramuscular or subcutaneous injections, but some are oral or nasal. Immunization schedules specify which vaccines to receive and when, differing by country and population group. Routine childhood immunization, booster doses, and vaccines for adults and high-risk groups are typical components.

The benefits of vaksinimi include reduced illness, hospitalizations, and death from preventable diseases, as well as herd immunity that protects those who cannot be vaccinated. Safety monitoring systems track adverse events following immunization, and most vaccine-related side effects are mild and temporary. Serious adverse events are rare and investigated.

Global vaccination campaigns have dramatically reduced the burden of diseases such as smallpox and polio in many regions, though challenges remain in access, hesitancy, and surveillance. Continued investment in vaccines and immunization programs is widely regarded as essential for public health.