When winter comes around, that only means one thing: vaccinations.
Unfortunately, there are still quite a few misconceptions about the vaccine and what it’s supposed to do. Some fear getting a vaccination because they don’t want to be made even more sick, while others are convinced that a vaccination can bring entirely new problems. When working in vaccinations it’s your job to not just protect the technology at hand, but ensure that patients are receiving accurate information. A single misconception can put thousands of lives at risk.
Thanks to technology like the medical grade freezer, millions of lives have been saved and entire diseases have been eradicated.
The Development Of The Vaccine Over The Centuries
There are still people alive today who lived through some of the worst diseases. Thanks to vaccinations, there are entire populations who have never encountered Polio or the German Measles. It was back in the late 1700’s that Edward Jenner developed the ‘arm to arm’ inoculation, helping to fight smallpox and change the medical industry at large. This revolutionary idea involved taking material from the blister of an infected patient and inject it into another person’s skin. Interesting observations had been taken, too, of nurses and milkmaids who became resistant against diseases due to exposure.
Preventing Deaths And Disabilities With A Single Shot
Just one shot from a benchtop freezer can prevent hundreds of deaths and keep thousands from hospitalization. This makes education on the nature of vaccines all the more vital. On the whole, vaccines prevent more than two and a half million deaths every year. The World Health Organizations and the Measles and Rubella Initiative have estimated 17 million lives have been saved by the measles vaccination since 2000. When someone gets a vaccine, they protect not just themselves, but more vulnerable parts of the population in what’s known as ‘herd immunity’.
The Resurgence Of The Flu In The United States
Due to misinformation about vaccinations, common diseases like the flu have seen a resurgence throughout the country. The CDC has estimated as many as 710,000 flu-related hospitalizations, and up to 55,000 flu-related deaths, have occurred since 2010. The flu has similar symptoms to the common cold, including fever, congestion, headache, nausea, and fatigue. It’s more severe, however, and has the potential to cause severe dehydration, diarrhea, and pneumonia. Elderly populations and very young children are the most vulnerable to complications from the flu.
Current Challenges Facing The Vaccination Industry
Despite incredible advancements in medical technology, like the pharmaceutical freezer, there are still hurdles to overcome. One of the largest is misinformation, spread easily online and compromising entire communities that depend on vaccinations to stay safe. Accessibility is another. It’s estimated just 93% of children between the ages of 19 to 35 months have received the Polio vaccine, with 24 million children around the world lacking vaccines in general. Meeting the challenges facing the industry is easier when you have the right equipment.
The Medical Grade Freezer And The Vaccine Refrigerator
There are several tools required to keep vaccines viable. The medical grade freezer is essential for long-term storage and long-distance transport. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, frozen vaccines need to be stored in a temperature range between -58 degrees and five degrees Fahrenheit. Vaccine storage refrigerators, on the other hand, should be stored at a consistent 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s important to record these temperatures constantly throughout the day, even if no vaccines are removed.
Thanks to vaccinations people live longer, safer, and happier. Check your medical grade freezer and make sure you’re always ready for what’s to come.
