Vaccines are something we’ve all heard about since we were children. We were told they help protect us from falling sick but growing up, I didn’t really understand how they worked. It was just something we had to take. Now, as an adult, I have a better understanding and appreciation of what vaccines really do.
In my own term, a vaccine is like a practice match for our body. It prepares our immune system to fight real diseases instead of waiting for a dangerous virus or bacteria to enter our body, a vaccine trains our body ahead of time so it knows exactly how to respond. So when the real infection comes, our body is ready to fight it off quickly.
I’ve had many vaccines in my life, starting from childhood. I still remember taking the polio vaccine. Some health workers came to our compound with a small cooler, they gave us drops in the mouth. It was so common, we didn’t even think much about it. Later, I got vaccinated against yellow fever and tetanus too when I was in secondary school. I once got a tetanus injection after stepping on a rusty nail, and it really saved me from a serious infection. That’s when I started understanding how important vaccines are.
I’ve also heard some strange stories about vaccines. In the area where I grew up, some people believed that some vaccines were meant to reduce the number of children a woman could have. Others said the government was using vaccines to control people. I remember some mothers hiding their kids whenever health workers came around. At the time, it sounded believable. Fear has a way of spreading fast.
Then came COVID-19, and everything changed. The world stopped, literally. Businesses closed, schools shut down, and people were dying everywhere. When the COVID-19 vaccine finally came, there was both relief and confusion. Some people were excited, while others were scared. I heard all sorts of things like They want to inject us with microchips, and you will become a zombie in a few years. It was funny and scary at the same time.
At first, I was skeptical. I didn’t want to take the vaccine. I told myself I’d wait and see what happens to those who took it first. But over time, I realized that the fear came mostly from not knowing the truth. I started reading, asking questions, and talking to people who understood how vaccines work. I even spoke with a nurse friend who explained that the vaccine wouldn’t make me sick but would help my body recognize and fight the virus if it ever entered.
Eventually, I took the vaccine. I won’t lie I was nervous. But after the first dose, I only felt a little pain in my arm and some tiredness. The second dose felt similar. After that, I felt fine and It gave me peace of mind. I’m grateful I took it. There was a man who died of COVID-19 that I know. He was strong and healthy but still didn’t make it. This made me realize how dangerous the virus is. If there’s something out there that can reduce the risk, why not take it?
I know vaccines are not perfect. Some people may still get sick after taking them. But in most cases, the sickness is not as serious as it would have been without the vaccine. It’s not a guarantee that you’ll never fall ill, but it gives your body a strong chance to fight.
So yes, I believe in vaccines. I’ve seen what they can do. I’ve felt their protection. I’ve also heard the fears and superstitions. But when you look past the noise and focus on facts, you’ll see that vaccines have helped save millions of lives. They’re not something to fear but something to appreciate.
This is my entry for this week's prompt #smp-w17
