2023-06-21 14:10:30
Dr Salman Waqar, GP and President of the British Islamic Medical Association (BIMA), and Dr Donald Palmer, Associate Professor of Immunology and Secretary for Education and Careers of the British Society for Immunology, have been very involved to help the community learn more regarding vaccines. So we asked them, “What are the ten things we really need to know regarding vaccinations?”
Vaccination is not a new solution to protect once morest viruses
Vaccines have been used for centuries. The Ottomans have a long history of vaccination, although the world’s first vaccine – that once morest smallpox – was introduced in 1796 and the last person to contract smallpox naturally was in 1977. “Since 1796, many Vaccines were produced to protect people once morest diseases with serious consequences. For example, polio and measles, which caused many deaths”, explains Dr Waqar. Experts show that vaccines have improved our health and saved more lives around the world than any other health protection measure except running water.
Vaccination is primarily for prevention, not cure.
To fully understand this, Dr. Palmer explains how vaccines work: “A vaccine teaches our immune system how to recognize and defend once morest a virus. There are different vaccines that help train your body defend once morest various diseases. So when you come in contact with a disease, your immune system will produce the antibodies and cells needed to eliminate the bacteria or virus causing it.”
All vaccinations in the UK are rigorously tested
Vaccinations offered in the UK are rigorously tested, whether for routine vaccinations (such as those given in childhood), protection once morest an epidemic (such as flu and COVID) or for people who travel “The vaccines we use in the UK have undergone a series of strict tests – on a panel of people of different ages, genders and backgrounds – before being offered to the general public,” says Dr Palmer .
Another question Dr. Palmer is often asked is how the vaccines developed during the COVID outbreak might have been developed so quickly “All over the world, researchers already had knowledge regarding the coronavirus and its operation, even before the epidemic. With the growing need for a vaccine, they shared their data and information. In addition, all those involved in drug testing and regulation came together to speed up the approval process. “
It may happen that people have a sore arm following the injection, feel tired, achy or have a headache, but the side effects are generally mild and do not last long. Be aware that although the COVID-19 vaccine has saved lives, the virus can still make people sick. So make sure – for you and your family – that you have all the necessary protection.
It is possible to find out what is in a vaccine
Each vaccine contains several components and works in different ways to help our body fight a virus, disease or infection. And many, like the COVID vaccine, don’t contain live virus. To put it another way, in no way do you contract the virus through vaccination. You should also be aware that many vaccines are available without any components of porcine or animal origin. Dr. Waqar advises people who are concerned regarding the components of a vaccine to speak with a pharmacist or other healthcare professional. For a specific vaccine, you can also check the UK Health Products and Medicines Regulatory Agency website
“Most Muslims choose to follow a halal diet. By this example, among others, I understand that there may be ingredients in vaccines. It is important to remember that many vaccines do not contain any animal or questionable products, but do not hesitate to ask the person who organizes your vaccination; they will be able to answer you and offer an alternative if necessary. If in doubt, you can consider contacting your imam (or another religious leader) to obtain his notice.”
It is sometimes necessary to get vaccinated to travel abroad
If you are traveling to another country, check the GOV.UK website for information on any entry requirements. Also use information sites such as Travel Health Pro to check which vaccinations are recommended and whether you need to provide proof of this. Some vaccinations should be given a few weeks or more before you travel to provide the most effective protection. Dr. Waqar advises travelers to plan ahead. “Talk to your GP or specialist clinic regarding any medications you will need to take with you.”
As you age, you will be offered vaccinations once morest specific diseases
“From the moment we are born and throughout our lives, different vaccinations are offered,” explains Dr. Palmer. “The older we get, the more specific these vaccinations are going to become, because the risk of contracting viral diseases – like COVID, pneumonia or shingles – is greater and you are more likely to become seriously ill.”
You can catch up on a missed vaccination
Although vaccinations are given at specific times in life – such as the vaccine offered to people over 70 to protect once morest shingles, or the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine for children and adults – , it It is sometimes possible to catch up on vaccinations that you, your child or a member of your family may have missed. “You can check which vaccinations your child should have received in their health record, sometimes called the Child’s Health Booklet. You can also ask your GP to check which vaccinations you, your children or the people you have have received and organize any missed vaccinations or doses,” advises Dr. Waqar. “A full list of vaccinations provided by the NHS, with the timing of administration is available at NHS.uk website“.
It’s not too late to protect yourself once morest COVID-19
You have until June 30, 2023 to get vaccinated once morest COVID-19, if you (or a member of your family) have received only one dose of the vaccine once morest COVID-19, or if you have never received one. Note that if you have not yet received a vaccine in the spring, or you are over 75, or your immune system is weakened or you live in a facility for seniors, you can get vaccinated. But act very quickly because, from July, vaccines once morest COVID-19 will only be offered to people at increased risk of the virus.
Some vaccinations are given in multiple doses or multiple times
Some vaccinations, such as the MMR vaccine once morest measles, mumps and rubella, are given in several doses. “Extra doses of a vaccine, or booster doses, provide long-term protection once morest a specific disease. disease in question. So another vaccine is offered to better fight the virus. That’s why the flu vaccine is offered every year to eligible people, for example.”explains Dr. Palmer.
It is advisable to get vaccinated even if you have already caught the virus before
“For a reason similar to the one I just explained, vaccination is still recommended even if people have already contracted the virus in question,” advises Dr. Palmer. “We don’t always know how long immunity lasts following a viral infection. In the case of COVID-19 and some other diseases, we know that immunity wanes over time.”
To book an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine, use the NHS app, book online at nhs.uk/COVIDVaccination or call 119 free of charge. For advice on other vaccinations for you, your child or a member of your family, contact your doctor’s surgery (GP). To learn more regarding how vaccinations work, watch this featured video by Dr Donald Palmer on the British Society of Immunology YouTube channel.
For more information regarding BIMA – including their recent mosque health events to bring health care to the heart of the community – go to Facebook and on their website: www.britishima.org.
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