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Vaccines Save Lives

Writer: Fulcro
Fulcro
Aug 11
3 min read

Vaccination has been one of the most important advances in public health. For more than 200 years, vaccines have helped prevent serious diseases and save millions of lives. A historic example is smallpox: the first vaccine against this disease was developed in 1796, and thanks to vaccination efforts, smallpox is now the first and only eradicated human disease.


Smiling woman with bandage on arm, surrounded by blue medical cubes, syringe, and shield icon with WELLNESS on purple background.

Vaccines work by teaching the immune system to recognize and fight viruses or bacteria before they cause severe illness. When a person is vaccinated, their body produces defenses, such as antibodies, that help fight infection. Some of these defenses remain in the body and can respond more quickly if the person is exposed to the disease again.




In some cases, more than one dose is needed to achieve or maintain adequate protection. Over time, defenses may decrease, so some vaccines require booster doses. These doses help the immune system remember how to respond and strengthen protection against severe disease or the spread of infections to others.


Why Do We Need Vaccines?


  • Protection from the first months of life:

    For a few weeks after birth, babies have some protection passed from the mother through the placenta, but it fades quickly. Vaccines help build defenses while the immune system is still developing and when some infections can cause serious complications.

  • Protection throughout life:

    Vaccination is important not only in childhood but throughout life. Over time, some defenses may decrease, new risks may arise due to health conditions, work, travel, or pregnancy, and some vaccines require booster doses.

  • Protection for vulnerable people:

    Getting vaccinated protects those at higher risk of severe illness, such as babies, older adults, and people with chronic conditions.

  • Prevention of serious diseases:

    Vaccines help protect against diseases such as tetanus, diphtheria, measles, mumps, rubella, whooping cough, meningitis, influenza, COVID-19, and polio. Many of these infections can cause hospitalization, long-term complications, or even death.

  • Community protection:

    Thanks to vaccination, many diseases are now less common, but they can return if vaccination rates drop.

Are Vaccines Safe?


It is normal for people to have questions about vaccine safety, especially when it comes to children. Recommended vaccines undergo rigorous studies before being approved and continue to be monitored after becoming available to the public. Trusted health organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the National Academy of Medicine agree that recommended vaccines are safe and that their benefits far outweigh known risks.


To learn which vaccines are needed throughout life, consult the vaccination schedule for children and adolescents at: https://www.salud.pr.gov/CMS/DOWNLOAD/9291 and the adult schedule at: https://www.salud.pr.gov/CMS/DOWNLOAD/6219


Like any medication, vaccines can cause side effects, but most are mild and temporary. Common side effects include pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site, low fever, fatigue, or body aches. These symptoms usually go away on their own within a few days. Severe reactions are rare. That is why safety monitoring systems continuously track vaccines after approval and help identify any early warning signs.


If a person has had a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine or any of its components, or has questions about vaccination due to existing health conditions, they should consult their doctor before getting vaccinated.


Gloved healthcare worker gives a vaccine shot in a masked person’s upper arm against a pale blue background.

How Do You Know If You Need Booster Doses?


Your primary care doctor can review your medical history to determine whether you need any vaccines or booster doses. If you do not have documentation of certain vaccines, your doctor may order a blood test to check for antibodies and vaccinate you if necessary.


Always consult your doctor if you have circumstances that may require additional protection, including:

  • Chronic or newly diagnosed health conditions

  • Working in the healthcare sector

  • Pregnancy or plans to become pregnant

  • Traveling to another country


Vaccines Save Lives: Take Action This August


  • Review your vaccination record and your family’s to confirm that everyone is up to date.

  • Remember that vaccines help protect you, your family, and the community.

  • If you are traveling, check ahead of time whether you need additional vaccines.

  • Take action this month: getting vaccinated is a simple and effective way to prevent disease.


Vaccines save lives! Staying up to date is a health decision that protects your present and your future.

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About Fulcro

With 45+ years of experience, Fulcro Insurance is a leading risk management and insurance brokerage firm helping businesses protect what matters most. We design customized commercial insurance, employee benefits, surety, cybersecurity, and claims management solutions tailored to each organization's unique needs. Serving clients across Puerto Rico, Florida, Georgia, and the Dominican Republic, our industry-specific insurance specialists provide strategic guidance that helps businesses manage risk with confidence.

 

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