Vaccines are a relatively recent invention, and they have changed the way that we respond to illness. With vaccines certain illnesses can be completely avoided. Illnesses that today we barely think about, such as mumps, polio and measles are all prevented by vaccines that are administered during childhood.
There are new vaccines being invented all the time – vaccines for cervical cancer, for pneumonia. The most awaited vaccine though is for HIV/AIDS. Vaccines in any form help to improve our physical health.
There are other medical advances that have happened alongside the advances made with vaccines. One is laser eye surgery; another is using telescoping lenses and tools to perform difficult surgeries normal human hands couldn't perform.
There are however some people who believe that vaccines do more harm than good. They think that introducing an illness into the body is wrong.
A vaccine works by introducing a small amount of the illness into your system. Your body fights the illness creating antibodies, which will recognise the illness should you be exposed to it again. The danger of vaccines is in when it is first introduced into your body, as your antibodies may attack it instead of the virus they should be fighting. You can also have an allergic reaction to a vaccine. All things taken into account, vaccines appear to do more good than harm.