Why is vaccination important?
For the INDIVIDUAL, it’s important because it prevents or minimizes the effects, of infection by whatever disease causing agent a given vaccine is for. These effects could be mild (itching, scarring) or severe (sterilization, physical handicaps, death). For SOCIETY, it’s important because it prevents or minimizes outbreaks and spread of infectious diseases, which may decimate whole populations or portions of a population. (i.e.- it protects OTHERS as well as yourself) Spread of diseases has been linked to wiping out some cultures in our history, for example.
