Vaccines are a simple, safe, and effective way of protecting you against harmful diseases, before you come into contact with them. It uses your body’s natural defenses (Immune System) to build resistance to specific infections and makes your immune system stronger.  

Vaccines train your immune system to create antibodies, just as it does when it’s exposed to a disease. However, because vaccines contain only killed or weakened forms of germs like viruses or bacteria, they do not cause the disease or put you at risk of its complications. (World Health Organization) 

Vaccines reduce risks of getting a disease by working with your body’s natural defenses to build protection. When you get a vaccine, your immune system responds by: 

1. Recognizing the invading germ, such as the virus or bacteria 
2. Producing antibodies. Antibodies are proteins that help your body identify bad and invading germs 
3. Remembering the disease and how to fight it. If you are then exposed to the germ in the future, your immune system can quickly destroy it before you become unwell. (World Health Organization) 

Vaccines don’t just protect the people getting vaccinated; they protect everyone around them too.
The more vaccinated people in a community, the harder it is for a disease to spread. If a person infected with a disease comes in contact only with people who are immune (have been vaccinated), the disease will have little opportunity to spread. The type of protection created when most people are vaccinated is called “community immunity” (or herd immunity). It means that many of us are protecting each other, especially the most vulnerable among us, such as: 

• Babies who are too young to be fully vaccinated 
• People who cannot get certain vaccines for medical reasons 
• People who may not adequately respond to immunization, such as elders with poor immune systems 

Many of the well-known vaccines available today have been developed and tested over many years. Some of the earliest vaccines were first conceived back in 1796. There have been many different vaccines made available that have helped eradicate or control harmful viruses and bacteria. Some examples of these include:  

• Smallpox, which was declared completely eradicated in 1980 
• Polio, a debilitating disease that has seen a 99% reduction in infections since 1988 thanks to vaccines.  
• Mumps, a contagious disease that causes respiratory problems and swollen cheeks, has also seen a 99% reduction since 1967, thanks to vaccine uptake. 
• (Makati Medical Centre) 

Important Resources

• Association of Black Social Workers 
• Health Association of African Canadians 
• Discovery Centre/Why Immunize 
• North End Community Health Centre 
• NS Brotherhood 
• NS Sisterhood 
• ABSW COVID toll free number: 1-855-732-1253 ext 2. 
• ABSW/HAAC Community Newsletter 
• HAAC Facebook/website for more information and upcoming workshops, events etc. 

Important Links

• https://thediscoverycentre.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IPF-Black-Health-Vaccine-and-Health-Resources-Brochure.pdf (Vaccination Resource Brochure)
• https://health.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/guidance-documents/reducing-covid-19-risk-community-settings-tool-operators.html (Reducing COVID-19 risk)  
• https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-conditions/reduce-spread-covid-19-wash-your-hands.html (Wash your hands infographic) 
• http://haac.ca/coronavirus-covid-19-awareness-resources/ (HAAC Resources) 
• https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/awareness-resources.html (Federal Gov’t Resources) 
• https://immunizebc.ca/reasons-to-vaccinate (Reasons to Vaccinate) 
• https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/how-do-vaccines-work (How Vaccines Work) 
• https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/vaccines-and-immunization-what-is-vaccination (WHO Vaccine Q&A) 
• https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/immunization-vaccines.html (Federal Gov’t Vaccine resources)