INFECTIOUS ORGANISMS 61 - Wednesday, November 29 , 1989 - North Shore News Immunization the simplest way to combat disease From page 60 A simple procedure — painless when given in ora! form and caus- ing only minor discomfort when injected — immunization is the single most effective, and most cost effective means of protecting society against infectious disease. How successful is immuniza- tion? When people are the only host for an infectious organism, vaccines have the potential to elim- inate that organism entirely and, with it, the possibility of that disease ever recurring. Smallpox, declared eradicated by the World Health Organization in 1980, is a case in point. Unfortunately, most infectious organisms have more than one host and cannot be totally elimi- nated by vaccines. Instead, vac- cines stimulate our bodies to Je- velop natural defence mechanisms to keep infectious organisms at bay. When properly administered — which may include periodic rein- forcement with booster shots — immunization provides us with long lasting protection or immuni- ty against a number of diseases. But the organisms which cause diseases remain in circulation, ready to infect when immunity is low. That is why it is so important for each new generation to be im- munized. 1. Offer applies to any single item of $200 or more in our Furniture, Major Appliance, Home Electronics, Custom Window Covering and Floor Fashions Departments ~ 2. Use your current Sears account a 3. Arranged on the spot by your ~ salesperson