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A Story of Vaccines
Science

Second Runner-up A Story of Vaccines

6D Yiu Ting Ho
Last night, my family and I went to a Cantonese restaurant to have dinner with my uncle and aunt. While we were
waiting, we spotted a vaccination advertisement. My aunt said, “I will not get vaccinated because there are side effects.
If we wear a mask and wash our hands frequently, we don’t need to get vaccinated.” My uncle corrected her, “No,
vaccinations are important to everyone. Let me tell you more.”
“Unlike medicines which cure diseases, vaccines prevent diseases like Chickenpox, Measles, Hepatitis B and
COVID-19. Vaccines are actually a tiny weakened non-dangerous part of the virus that includes parts of antigen. The little
parts are already enough for the immune system to build the specific antibody. After vaccinating, if you really get infected
by the target disease, the body will know how to defeat it, and you will be safe.”
“Right,” my dad explained, “Vaccines work by helping to develop immunity
through imitating an infection. It almost never causes illness, but it causes the
immune system to produce antibodies. Some vaccines need multiple doses, with
weeks or months apart, to let the body develop memory cells and produce long-lived
antibodies. After injecting vaccines, the imitation may cause some symptoms, which
could be the side effects but are normal and not harmful. When a lot of people in a
community are vaccinated, the virus will not spread easily because most of them are
immune. This is called herd immunity.”
“According to early records,” my uncle added, “China first started to employ
variolation, the early form of vaccines, against Smallpox. It was practiced in Africa
and Middle East, before it was spread to America and Europe centuries later. Science Creative Writing Winners
“In the 18th century, variolation was still commonly used. English physician and scientist Edward Jenner, also known
as the ‘Father of Immunology’, created the world’s first Smallpox vaccine in 1796. Decades later, vaccination was finally
accepted. Then, in 1840, the British government banned variolation and provided vaccination of Smallpox.
“In 1885,” my uncle continued, “Rabies vaccines were invented by French chemist and microbiologist Louis Pasteur,
and more vaccines were invented. After that, more vaccines like Cholera and Plague were developed throughout the
th
1930s. In the middle of the 20 century, researchers moved their targets to childhood diseases like Measles and Flu. All of
them made a significant improvement to people’s health.”
“So, vaccines can prevent most diseases,” my dad concluded, “They are a part of the virus and antigens which
are enough for the body to build the antibodies of the virus. When a lot of people in a community are vaccinated,
they will reach the herd immunity level and the virus won’t spread inside. Vaccines help us to reduce infections and
death. Therefore, as we continue to practise disease prevention measures, we should get vaccinated to protect
ourselves and our family.”
“Vaccines have a variety of benefits to everyone. Let’s go to get vaccinated next week!” my aunt suggested, and
everyone agreed.
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