Vaccination is one of the most impactful interventions for preventing infectious diseases and reducing the number of infections, their severity, and the associated mortality. The most obvious objective of vaccination against any disease is the direct, individual protection of the vaccinated person . However, for many diseases, the benefits extend to the community through an indirect mechanism known as herd immunity . Thus, vaccination can have two complementary goals: protecting the person who receives the vaccine and protecting the community. Depending on the disease, herd immunity may be more or less relevant because, unlike individual protection, it is not equally important for all vaccines. Remember… Vaccination directly protects each vaccinated person by preparing the immune system to respond more effectively to future exposure to specific infectious agents. The benefits of vaccination are not the same for all diseases. Some vaccines, such as those against measles and diphtheria, protect both the vaccinated individual and the wider community through herd immunity. In these cases, choosing not to vaccinate increases personal risk and raises the likelihood of disease outbreaks within the community. Others, such as vaccines against tetanus, shingles, or many travel-related diseases, are administered primarily to protect the individual receiving them. In these situations, the decision not to vaccinate mainly increases personal risk. Regardless of the disease, vaccination remains one of the most effective measures for preventing many serious illnesses and protecting both individual and public health throughout life. Author : Saraiva da Cunha (Infectious Diseases) Fontes Cleveland Clinic. Herd immunity . European Vaccination Information Portal. Benefits of vaccination . Vaccination Facts. Herd immunity . World Health Organization. Vaccines and immunization . Meet the infectious diseases clinical team from Hospital da Luz network. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item. English translation generated with AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
