Vaccinations

Who is Suitable for Vaccinations?

Vaccinations are suitable for individuals of all ages, including babies, children, teenagers, adults, and older people. It is recommended that children receive a series of vaccinations starting from birth to protect them against serious diseases, including measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox. Adults may also need vaccination against certain diseases, such as influenza and pneumonia.

However, some individuals, including those with weakened immune systems or allergies to vaccine ingredients, may not be suitable for vaccinations. It is important to consult with your doctor before getting vaccinated if you have any concerns.

What are the Benefits of Vaccinations?

Vaccinations offer numerous benefits, including:

• Prevention of disease: Vaccinations are highly effective in preventing the spread of infectious diseases. They help to build herd immunity, which means that even those who are not vaccinated are protected because the disease is less likely to spread.
• Protection of vulnerable populations: Vaccinations protect those at a higher risk of severe disease or complications, such as infants, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
• Cost-effective: Vaccinations are cost-effective in preventing disease and reducing healthcare costs associated with treating infectious diseases.
• Saves lives: Vaccinations have saved millions of lives worldwide, particularly in developing countries where diseases such as measles and polio are still prevalent.

What are the Types of Vaccinations?

There are various types of vaccinations available, including:

• Inactivated vaccines: These vaccines contain dead viruses or bacteria and are usually given as a shot.
• Live-attenuated vaccines: These vaccines contain weakened viruses or bacteria and are usually given as a nasal spray or oral dose.
• Recombinant vaccines: These vaccines contain only a small part of the pathogen and are genetically engineered to stimulate an immune response.
• Conjugate vaccines: These vaccines protect against bacterial diseases by attaching a weak antigen to a strong antigen to stimulate an immune response.

COVID-19 Vaccinations

COVID-19 vaccinations are safe and effective in preventing severe illness, hospitalisation, and death from COVID-19. There are currently three main types of COVID-19 vaccinations:

• mRNA vaccines: These vaccines, including the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, use a small piece of genetic material from the virus to trigger an immune response.
• Vector vaccines: These vaccines, including the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, use a weakened virus to deliver a piece of the COVID-19 virus to the body to stimulate an immune response.
• Protein subunit vaccines: These vaccines, including the Novavax vaccine, use a piece of the COVID-19 virus to stimulate an immune response.

All COVID-19 vaccinations require two doses, except for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which requires only one dose. Vaccinations are safe for most people, but individuals with severe allergies to vaccine ingredients or a history of severe allergic reactions should consult their doctor before getting vaccinated.

Flu Vaccinations

The flu vaccine is a vaccine that helps to protect against seasonal influenza, which is a highly contagious respiratory illness that can cause severe illness and complications. The flu vaccine contains either inactivated (killed) virus or a live attenuated (weakened) virus, depending on the type of vaccine.

Flu vaccinations are recommended for all six months and older individuals. Flu vaccinations are especially important for those at a higher risk of severe disease or complications, including young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with underlying medical conditions.

Travel Vaccinations

Travel vaccinations, also known as travel health vaccinations, are recommended for individuals travelling to areas with a higher risk of infectious diseases. These vaccinations protect against diseases such as yellow fever, typhoid fever, and hepatitis A and B.

The most common travel vaccinations vary depending on the destination and the individual's health and vaccination history. However, here are some of the most commonly recommended travel vaccinations:

• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Typhoid fever
• Yellow fever
• Rabies
• Meningococcal disease

Consult with your doctor or a travel health specialist before travelling to ensure that you have the necessary vaccinations and are aware of any other health precautions you should take during your trip.

Children's Vaccinations

Children's vaccinations protect them against serious diseases, including measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, and polio. Vaccinations are recommended for all children starting from birth and should be given according to the recommended vaccination schedule.

The most common children's vaccinations vary depending on the age and health of the child. However, here are some of the most commonly recommended children's vaccinations:

• Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR): This vaccination protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, which are highly contagious viral infections that can cause serious complications.
• Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP): This vaccination protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough), bacterial infections that can cause severe illness and complications.
• Hepatitis B: This vaccination protects against hepatitis B, a viral infection that can cause liver damage and other complications.
• Polio: This vaccination protects against polio, a viral infection that can cause paralysis and other serious complications.
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib): This vaccination protects against Hib, a bacterial infection that can cause serious illnesses such as meningitis, pneumonia, and blood infections.
• Pneumococcal disease: This vaccination protects against pneumococcal disease, a bacterial infection that can cause pneumonia, meningitis, and blood infections.
• Rotavirus: This vaccination protects against rotavirus, a viral infection that can cause severe diarrhoea and dehydration in young children.

It is important to follow the recommended vaccination schedule and to ensure that your child is up to date on all necessary vaccinations to ensure maximum protection against preventable diseases. If you have any concerns or questions about children's vaccinations, consult your child's doctor or a vaccination provider.

Vaccinations Procedure

The procedure for getting vaccinated may vary depending on the type of vaccine and the vaccination provider. However, here are some general steps that are typically involved in the vaccination procedure:

• Check eligibility: Check whether you are eligible for the vaccine based on age, health, and other relevant factors. For example, some vaccines may not be recommended for individuals with certain medical conditions.
• Schedule an appointment: Contact a vaccination provider to schedule an appointment for your vaccine. Some providers may offer walk-in vaccinations, but it is recommended to make an appointment to ensure availability.
• Complete necessary forms: Fill out any necessary paperwork, including medical history and consent forms.
• Receive the vaccine: A healthcare provider will administer the vaccine, usually through an injection or nasal spray. Follow any instructions given by the provider, such as wearing a mask, social distancing, and waiting for a certain amount of time after the vaccination.
• Keep track of your vaccination record: Keep a record of your vaccination and stay updated on your recommended vaccination schedule. You can do this by keeping a copy of your vaccination record or registering on the government's vaccination register.

Are Vaccines Effective?

In general, vaccinations are highly effective in preventing disease. For example, the measles vaccine is 97% effective in preventing measles when two doses are given according to the recommended schedule. While less effective than some other vaccines, the flu vaccine still offers significant protection against the flu and can reduce the risk of hospitalisation and death.

In addition to preventing disease, vaccinations also help build herd immunity, which means that even those not vaccinated are protected because the disease is less likely to spread. This is especially important for individuals who cannot receive vaccinations due to medical reasons, such as those with weakened immune systems.

No vaccine is 100% effective, and breakthrough cases can occur. Breakthrough cases are when an individual vaccinated still gets the disease. While breakthrough cases can happen, they are usually less severe and less likely to result in hospitalisation or death.

Are Vaccines Safe?

Vaccines undergo extensive testing and evaluation by regulatory authorities, including the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in Australia, before they are approved for use. This process ensures that vaccines are safe and effective for their intended use.

In addition to regulatory approval, vaccines are also continuously monitored for safety and effectiveness through post-market surveillance systems. This monitoring allows for the early detection and investigation of potential safety concerns.

Vaccinations Risks

Like all medications, vaccines can have side effects. However, most vaccine side effects, such as soreness or redness at the injection site or a low-grade fever, are mild and temporary. Serious side effects from vaccines are rare.

The risks associated with not getting vaccinated are far greater than those associated with getting vaccinated. Not getting vaccinated puts individuals at risk of serious complications and even death from preventable diseases and contributes to the spread of infectious diseases in the community.

Individuals with a history of severe allergic reactions or other medical conditions should consult their doctor before getting vaccinated. In some cases, certain vaccines may not be recommended for individuals with certain medical conditions.

What if Vaccinations are Delayed?

Delaying vaccinations can put individuals at risk of preventable diseases. Vaccinations are recommended at certain ages and according to a schedule to ensure maximum protection against infectious diseases.

If vaccination is delayed, catching up on missed doses as soon as possible is important. Delaying vaccinations can increase the risk of contracting preventable diseases and contribute to the spread of disease in the community.

Vaccines can still be effective even if the recommended schedule is not followed precisely. However, vaccinating according to the recommended schedule is the best way to ensure maximum protection against preventable diseases.