07 Aug Vaccinated Or Not, Your Innate Immunity is Key
As part of our nation’s efforts to resume the ‘normal’ way of life, Singapore has recently announced its aim to vaccinate two-thirds of the population by August 9. As the vaccination rate increases and daily-infected cases kept under control, it is easy to let our guard down and deviate away from the conversation surrounding the importance of our innate immunity.
It is important to remember that vaccination does not guarantee total protection.
Among the vaccines made available to Singaporeans, Pfizer-BioNTech’s efficacy level is the highest at 95% while Moderna 94.1%. Efficacy level refers to the percentage reduction of getting a disease, meaning to say Pfizer reduces your chances getting infected by 95%.
Furthermore, the strength of immune response conferred by the vaccine also varies across individuals. This explains why vaccinated individuals may still be infected if we do not act responsibly or neglect our immunity. It is a timely reminder to take care of our immune system, whether we have been vaccinated or not.
If you have not taken the vaccination, experiencing some side effects such as soreness, fatigue, fever and headache post-vaccination are considered to be normal immune responses. However, you may want to seek medical advice should severe side effects arise and persist for more than 48 hours.
Signs that You Have A Weak Immune System
Unlike other aspects of your physical health, it is hard to ascertain whether your immunity is strong enough. However, there are telltale signs to hint you of a weakening immune system.
- You fall sick quickly, recover slowly
Adults have an average of 2-3 colds per year, subject to seasonal weather changes, and they typically recover within 7-10 days. In Singapore, where the climate is mostly humid and hot throughout the year, the frequency of us catching a cold should naturally be lower. So, if you tend to catch a cold more often than others around you – and take a much longer time to recover – it shows that your immune system is not effective in fighting against viruses. You will need to increase your daily intake of antioxidants, either from fruits and vegetables or natural antioxidant-rich beverage, to boost your immunity.
- You tend to have tummy discomfort
In other words, gut health plays a vital role to your immune system. Good bacteria in our gut help to ward off bad bacteria and regulate immune homeostasis. When bad bacteria grow out of balance, you start to experience gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea and constipation. In normal cases, you will recover in a few days if you keep up with a balanced diet and adequate rest. However, if you are experience persistent digestive issues, it shows that your gut is not functionally optimally. Poor gut health weakens your immunity and makes you more susceptible to inflammation and infection. In this case, you need to consume more natural probiotics to improve your gut health and boost your immunity.
- Your wounds are slow to heal
When we get a cut or burn, our immune cells such as white blood cells are activated to fight infection and regulate the repair process by helping to regenerate new cells. If your immunity is weak, your cells are unable to function efficiently and you find that your wounds are taking much longer to heal.
Boost Your Immune System
The golden rule of keeping a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet apply if you want to build a strong immune system. As the regulations loosen up, you are likely to be exposed to crowded places so all the more you need to keep your immunity strong. Double up on your intake of antioxidants and probiotics, mask up, and maintain good hygiene to prevent infection and resume the normal life with ease.
 Comparing COVID-19 Vaccines: How Are They Different? Source
 Common Colds: How to Protect Yourself Source
 The role of gut microbial in immune homeostasis Source
 Six Signs You have a Weakened Immune System Source
 How to boost your immune system? Source