What is the primary purpose of immunization?

The primary purpose of immunization is to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and protect public health. Immunization works by preparing the immune system to recognize and combat specific pathogens, thereby reducing the incidence of diseases that can lead to severe illness, complications, or death. By ensuring a significant portion of the population is vaccinated, immunization not only protects those who are vaccinated but also contributes to community-wide protection. This is essential for vulnerable groups who may not be able to receive vaccines themselves, such as infants, elderly individuals, or those with certain medical conditions.

While creating herd immunity can be a significant benefit of widespread immunization practices, it is a secondary outcome of the primary goal of disease prevention. Reducing healthcare costs and providing long-lasting immunity are important considerations but are not the fundamental purpose of immunization itself. The focus remains on safeguarding individuals and communities against infectious diseases to maintain overall public health.