At a time when vaccinations are becoming more widespread, there is a misunderstanding among many that they will become immune as soon as they are vaccinated. This perception has made some people less alert to diseases after vaccination, and once they are exposed to pathogens and infected in the short term, it is easy to question the effectiveness of vaccines. Indeed, the ability to protect against disease is not readily available after vaccination.
After vaccination, the human immune system takes some time to identify the antigens in the vaccine and to initiate a complex process of immunisation responses to generate sufficient antibody and immunocellal memory. The process is like a well-structured “immunization symphony” in which immunocellular cells and molecules are working in sequence, and it takes time to complete. In the case of the new crown vaccine, for example, there are differences in the timing when the different types of new crown vaccine induce effective immunization protection. In general, the level of antibodies in the body reaches a high level after the second dose is approximately 1-2 weeks after the new coronary virus is administered, thus providing more reliable immunization protection. For some of the recombinant new corona vaccines, it may also be necessary to develop a coordinated antibodies and immune cell defence system over a period of time after the complete vaccination process. Until then, human resistance to the new coronary virus had not reached its optimal level and there was still a risk of infection if exposed to a large number of new coronary viruses during this “immuno window”.
Hepatitis B vaccine will normally be administered in accordance with the procedure of 0, 1 and June. After the first dose, only a small number of people begin to produce a small number of antibodies, and the drops are low enough to provide effective protection. After the second inoculation, the production of antibodies will increase, but the immunisation has not reached its peak. Only some time after the third dose of the vaccine will there be sufficient and sustained surface antibodies for hepatitis B in the body, thus achieving a more stable immunity against hepatitis B virus. This series of processes shows that the establishment of immunity after the vaccination of hepatitis B is a gradual process, not a one-off process.
For some detoxification vaccines, such as measles, although relatively quick to induce an immune response after vaccination, it generally takes about 1-2 weeks to fully activate and develop an effective immune memory. Until then, children may still be infected with the measles virus, especially when exposed to a high concentration of the virus or when their own immune function is weak.
Apart from the time required to produce antibodies, the functional maturity of the immune cells and the consolidation of immune memory are not instantaneous. After the vaccination, the initial immune response was mainly to activate B lymphocytes to produce antibodies, but T lymphocytes activation, fragmentation and memory T cell formation are equally important. These immune cells need to collaborate and exchange information to build a long-term and stable immune defence network. For example, while the influenza virus specific antibodies may start to appear in the body in 1-2 weeks after vaccination against influenza, the functional development of memory T cells may take longer so that, in subsequent exposure to the influenza virus, memory T cells will be able to function quickly and coordinate with other immune cells to remove the virus more effectively.
Therefore, we still need to remain vigilant and continue to take the necessary protective measures, such as wearing masks, maintaining social distance and hand-washing, especially during high-prevalence or high-risk areas. Inoculation should not immediately lead to a feeling of self-preservation and neglect of disease prevention. Only by properly understanding the timing of vaccine immunization can we better protect ourselves and others from infectious diseases while enjoying vaccine protection.
