Vaccines are incredibly essential for keeping us healthy. It helps prevent diseases and has been a big part of improving public health for centuries. Since the first vaccine (1796), they have saved millions of lives and changed the course of history.
Vaccinations represent one of the most profound advancements in human health. Vaccines don't just protect individuals; they also benefit society as a whole. They have even helped to completely get rid of some diseases, like smallpox, which was officially wiped out in 1980 thanks to vaccines. It shows how powerful vaccines can be in stopping diseases that used to cause a lot of harm.
What You Need and Why?
Vaccinations are not just for children; they are essential for adults too, depending on various factors such as health history, occupation, travel plans, geographical location, age, and childhood vaccinations. While children typically receive a series of vaccines as part of their routine schedule, adults may require vaccinations based on individual risk factors and lifestyle choices.
For adults, vaccinations can protect against diseases such as influenza, pneumonia, and shingles. For example, adults over the age of 65 are recommended to receive the pneumococcal vaccine to protect against pneumonia, a potential complication of pneumococcal infection.
Other vaccines, such as tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccines, are recommended for adults who have not been vaccinated previously or who require a booster dose. Additionally, adults with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, may require additional vaccinations to protect against diseases that they may be more susceptible to.
So far, these are the common vaccinations given:
Tetanus Vaccine
Toxins called tetanus bacterium, can be fatal and damage your body. It is usually composed of three injections with an interval of 6 months. Every 10 years, a booster dose should be administered. A child can receive a combination of vaccines against pertussis whooping cough, diphtheria, or tetanus.
Hepatitis A Vaccine
A vaccine against Hepatitis A must be given to children who are a little older than 2, especially if they're bound to travel in territories outside the United States, such as Northern and Western Europe, Canada, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand. They should also be given to adults who are drug users, individuals who are suffering from chronic liver disease, male homosexuals, as well as those with blood clotting problems. The vaccine is given in two doses, with a 6 to 12-month interval.
Smallpox Vaccine
Administration of smallpox vaccines was routine until 20 years ago when the disease was eliminated, thus the vaccination was also discontinued. However, because of the threat of smallpox use in terrorism as well as the vaccine's wearing off every 10 years, there may be a need to promote smallpox vaccination again.
In general, the vaccine is harmless. However, in some cases, severe reactions can occur at a proportion of 100 in every one million individuals who weren't vaccinated before. Death can happen for every 1 in one million.
Polio Vaccine
The polio vaccine has played a crucial role in the country's efforts to eradicate polio. The government has conducted extensive vaccination campaigns, targeting millions of children. These campaigns have use both the oral polio vaccine (OPV) and the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), depending on the specific needs.
India has made significant progress in reducing the number of polio cases, due to these vaccination efforts. The country was declared polio-free in 2014, a milestone in the global fight against the disease.
Influenza Vaccine
The influenza vaccine is recommended for individuals who are at risk of developing the disease or its complications. It includes healthcare workers, those aged 50 and above, people living in nursing homes, and individuals with certain medical conditions such as sickle cell disease, chronic heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, kidney failure, weakened immune systems, and HIV infections.
The best time to get the influenza vaccine is between September and October, before the peak of the flu season starting in midwinter or late December. Getting vaccinated earlier in the season can help ensure you are protected before the flu starts spreading in your community.
As they say, prevention is preferable to cure. We have a body full of immunities. However, if you want to improve your resistance to diseases, you must get vaccinated.
