What are vaccinations and immunizations?
Immunization is the process of making a person resistant to disease by administering a vaccine that stimulates the production of antibodies to fight against the disease. A vaccine consists of tiny amounts of weakened or inactive germs that cause diseases, and it can be given through injection, oral medication, or nasal spray.
Vaccines play a crucial role in maintaining individual and community health.
Routine vaccines
Numerous routine vaccinations are utilised to prevent diseases, commonly administered during appointments with your doctor. Make sure to consult your primary care physician or your child’s pediatrician to confirm that your vaccinations are current and to obtain further information about vaccine recommendations.
Chickenpox – Individuals who have never had chickenpox should receive two doses of the chickenpox vaccine.
Diphtheria – You require regular diphtheria vaccination throughout your life, combined with tetanus vaccine, to prevent a severe bacterial infection of the nose and throat.
Flu – Influenza vaccines are updated yearly based on predicted prevalent flu strains. While a flu shot doesn’t guarantee flu avoidance, it enhances your antibodies to combat the virus.
Hepatitis A and B – All children should be vaccinated against hepatitis A and B, available separately or in a combination vaccine. Adults at an increased risk for hepatitis A or B should receive extra vaccine doses.
Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) – Shields children and infants against bacterial diseases. All children under five should get a Hib vaccine.
HPV (Human Papillomavirus) – HPV is common, often symptomless, and can lead to cancer. The vaccine prevents HPV infections from becoming cancerous and is advised for adolescents.
Measles – A double-dose vaccination effectively safeguards against this contagious virus, combined with rubella, mumps, and sometimes chickenpox vaccines.
Meningococcal – Adolescents should receive a vaccination to prevent bacterial infections in the spine and brain. In some instances, the vaccine may be administered during infancy or require extra doses.
Mumps – Part of the measles and rubella vaccination series, the mumps vaccine prevents a once-common disease characterised by swelling.
Pneumococcal – Guards against diseases that can result in pneumonia and other severe complications. Recommended at least once for children under two and adults over 65. Some adolescents and adults at higher pneumonia risk may require an additional vaccine.
Polio – Children should receive a four-dose polio vaccine series to prevent this paralyzing disease, almost been eradicated since the vaccine’s development. Travellers to polio-prone regions may need extra vaccines.
Rotavirus – All infants should be vaccinated early against this diarrheal disease common in young children.
Rubella – Part of the measles and mumps vaccine, preventing a contagious viral infection.
Shingles – Caused by the chickenpox virus, this painful disease has serious complications. Healthy adults above 50 should get a shingles vaccine.
Tetanus – Infants and children need tetanus vaccination, combined with the diphtheria vaccine, to prevent lockjaw. Adolescents and adults require a tetanus vaccine roughly every 10 years.
Whooping cough – Pertussis is a common respiratory infection in young children. Infants, parents-to-be, and those around young children should be vaccinated for pertussis, combined with tetanus and diphtheria vaccines.
Uncommon vaccines
On occasion, vaccinations become essential to prevent less common diseases, particularly if you face an elevated risk or have encountered them before. The majority of these infrequent diseases are associated with travel beyond the country or specific professions. It’s advisable to discuss possible exposure and vaccination options with your primary care physician.
Anthrax – Vital for those working with animals, in specific labs, or in the military.
Japanese encephalitis – Contracted through mosquito bites, prevalent in Asia and the western Pacific.
Rabies – Administered after a wild animal bite. Animal handlers should receive preemptive vaccination.
Smallpox – Only recommended for lab workers due to the almost nonexistent prevalence of this viral infection.
Tuberculosis – Given to children in countries with common TB.
Typhoid fever – Common in developing countries. Only recommended if traveling to those areas.
Yellow fever – Typically lifelong protection for travelers to Africa or South America, where mosquitoes carry the virus.