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Vaccinations
A vaccine is the preparation of dead microorganisms, living weakened microorganisms or inactivated toxins. Its administration induces the development of immunity and protection against a pathogen or toxin and is called a vaccination.
1,376 Questions
How is the A H1N1 09 vaccine made?
H1N1 is the general name of several influenza viruses, of which H1N1/09, the pandemic swine flu, is one. It is a Type A influenza virus and the H and N stand for the two proteins on the outer surface of the virus. See the related question below with more information about the make up of H1N1.
How was the polio vaccine invented?
The first ever polio vaccine was developed by Dr Jonas Salk at the University of Pittsburgh in the early 1950s. It was a killed vaccine that was tested in clinical trials in 1954 and ultimately gained government approval by 1955 for use on the common public. There is also another polio vaccine that was developed by Dr Albert Sabin. This vaccine was a live version of the polio virus and is taken orally. It was approved for use in the general public in 1963. == == == == == == == ==
What happens in your body if you are exposed to a virus for which you have been vaccinated?
If the microbe is one you've been vaccinated against, and if enough time has passed since the vaccination for full immunity to have been developed by your immune system, then your immune system will be able to recognize and destroy it before it can replicate and cause illness. See the related question below for more information about why you could still get infected even after having received a vaccination, although that is the exception to the rule and usually it does not happen that way.
The vaccine in the flu shot contains either a "dead" (inactive) or a weakened form of the expected invading virus (or viruses) which can not make an otherwise healthy person sick. Our bodies use these antigens (vaccine's virus particles) as a template to create the right antibodies, that will have the right pattern to match and know how to destroy those same viruses in the wild (normal strength), if they enter the body in the future to try to use our cells to replicate themselves. Our bodies remember each virus pattern that is in the vaccinations so that they can make those matching cells to protect us again from that same specific flu strain (or sometimes strains that are very similar).
Our bodies also have the ability to determine when a virus has invaded and, if there is a match to that strain of virus stored from a prior invasion, the immune systems quickly make up a lot of those attack cells, that worked in the past to destroy the invading virus particles. If it is a new invading virus, usually our bodies can make cells that can match just right to destroy the new invader in a week to ten days. (They can sometimes do this even more quickly for bacteria and other microbes).
It is during this time period, when the body is matching and making the attack cells to "kill" the invader, that we feel sick until our body finds the key pattern of cells that will match and destroy that specific virus. The body "remembers" the pattern each time it makes cells that work to kill germs, so any time that same germ comes along again, or even sometimes a similar one, the immune system wastes no time in getting rid of the invading organism, because it knows already what will work. That is why, once we have had a flu virus like H1N1/09 Swine Flu before, we won't get sick from it again. The body will already know what cells to make and will send them out to destroy the invader.
This is also how vaccines help our bodies build up immunity or resistance to viruses and flu. The immune system remembers the pattern of the antibodies it made when it was exposed to the virus particles in the flu shot and if that type of virus turns up in the environment later, the cells are made and attack the virus before it can make us sick.
What did the polio vaccination contain?
The first vaccine was developed in 1952 by Jonas Salk.
The vaccine was made from dead viruses grown in a monkey kidney tissue culture. Heat and formaldehyde were used to kill the virus.
Why are you having a reaction after taking a flu shot?
Many people do get a local reaction to the flu shots. It is the body responding to the presence of the virus that was in the vaccine. This immune response is exactly why you get the vaccination. The body recognizes the invading virus as foreign and sends the attack team to the rescue. The soreness and tender red area should be gone in a few days, if not, then you may need to be sure there is not a local infection from the needle by having it examined by a health care professional.
Usually, even though it seems the wrong thing to do at the time, if you use the muscle where the injection was given, the soreness will go away faster. I ask for my flu shots in my right arm to force myself to use it since I am right handed and now that I've started doing that, I have much less soreness after my flu shots and the soreness lasts a shorter time period.
If you are talking about a reaction that is not localized, as in an allergic reaction with lip, tongue or facial swelling or trouble breathing, then you need to get urgent medical attention since it could be you are allergic to eggs or some other component of the vaccine.
Should vaccinations be forced?
Some questions of safety and public health are complex, and decisions sometimes have to be made that will not be agreeable to everyone. In important matters of public health, or where outbursts of sickness may incur significant medical harm as well as high costs to the people, then a government has the right to require vaccinations.
What vaccines or injections did Pasteur develop?
Pasteur created and tested vaccines for diphtheria, cholera, yellow fever, plague, rabies, anthrax, and tuberculosis.
Can you get the flu shot in your leg?
The thigh is sometimes used for infant immunizations, but not used for older patients.
vaccination is a vaccine that stimulate your immune system to develop adaptive immunity to disease.
How long can a flu vaccine remain outside a refrigerator?
In the US, the seasonal flu shots are being given in many locations such as pharmacies, doctor's offices, and even grocery stores. In addition to the doctor's offices, some of these other locations accept appointments, and you would have little wait if you made an appointment in advance.
Since you indicated in the discussion section that you are having anxiety about getting the shot, you could tell them at the time you make the appointment that you are very worried about getting shots and ask them what would be the best time for you to get a friendly vaccination without a long and disturbing wait.
The shot itself would take seconds once the injection is prepared with the dose of medicine. There are forms to be signed prior to the shot, but they can be done in a matter of minutes at the most. The entire process could potentially take less than ten minutes from car door to car door.
When you get to the location, tell the person who will be giving you the shot that you have a fear of shots, then they can make the process less scary and help put you at ease if they are aware of your fears. The vaccinations do not hurt any more than any shot in the arm, and the needle size is normal, not big or long at all.
This flu season (2010 - 2011) in the US:
The H1N1/09 Pandemic Swine Flu vaccination does not require a separate administration of the vaccine as it did in the prior flu season when the vaccine for H1N1/09 was still under development, and distribution was on a risk-based prioritization. This time, the H1N1/09 vaccine is included in the seasonal flu vaccination as one of the three viruses selected, since they are expected to be the prevalent ones circulating during the flu season. So only one flu shot (or nasal spray) is needed this time.
For H1N1/09 the Pandemic Swine Flu in 2009:
Also in the US, now the "swine flu" (A-H1N1/09) vaccinations are also being given. They are being given on a priority basis based upon the degree of risk of the recipient for getting the flu or having serious complications from the flu. Pregnant women, very young children over 6 months old, parents who care for babies under 6 months old, people with underlying immune system disease or those on medications that affect the immune system, health care and fire workers, and teens and young adults (especially who have underlying diseases) are among those who will be on the high priority list to get the vaccines first.
You may need to contact your health care provider to find out if you are among any of the groups who will be first to get the vaccines. There is less of a shortage in the US now as production continues, but it is still being provided in some states strictly according to the priority list until the vaccines reach full production and distribution.
If you are among these groups to be first to receive the vaccines, your own health care professional (or your employer if you are a health care worker, etc.), may have a supply of the vaccine for your use, and you may be able to schedule an appointment for the shot or nasal spray (if you are a candidate to use the nasal mist instead of a shot, i.e., healthy and aged 2 - 49). In that case, your vaccination should be able to be completed as quickly or more quickly than described above for the seasonal vaccinations.
If your employer or health care provider is not providing the H1N1/09 vaccinations, then your wait could be longer before your risk group is eligible to receive the vaccines. You will need to monitor the news or state department of health web sites to find out when your group is eligible.
Currently there have been being long lines with long wait times for these vaccines (hours) in some locations. This should get better as each state receives its full supplies of vaccine. The shortage is expected to be alleviated by January 2010. If you are not in a high risk group and can wait until later to get your H1N1 vaccination, the wait times will be much shorter as each state opens and staffs more immunization centers in more locations. In the mean time continue to practice all preventive measures to avoid getting the flu.
See discussion for additional information from the asker of the question. Related questions are added mostly in reference to the reason this user asked the question.
What is difference between antibiotics and vaccines?
An antibiotic actually kills the bacteria that are infecting the host. A vaccine causes the host to develop immunity to a virus. Antibiotics must be taken again if a new infection develops. Vaccines usually cause permanent immunity.
Can or should you still get the vaccine if you have already had the Swine Flu?
Yes.
For the 2010-2011 flu season in the Northern Hemisphere, the seasonal flu vaccination will include the vaccine for H1N1 (Swine Flu) along with the two other flu viruses that are anticipated to be prevalent this year. So only one flu vaccination is needed for this flu season.
You can still take it even if you had the H1N1/09 flu vaccination last year or if you had the flu last year. It will not hurt to get it again and it will be the most recent strain of that virus, so in case the one you had was slightly different, this one will protect you from it, too.
Are chickenpox vaccine and shingles vaccine the same?
In a way, it is. When a person is infected with the varicella zoster virus, the resulting illness is chickenpox. The virus does not leave the body and remains dormant in nerve cells and is later reactivated in about a third of people. Usually this is reactivation associated with a weakening of the immune system, and the symptoms are different from those of the first illness. It is extremely painful, as the nerve endings become inflamed and a rash is present. These symptoms are usually localized, unlike chickenpox which is general.
Are you protected if expired flu vaccine was used?
Probably not. Each year the ingredients in the flu vaccine are different, because each year different strains of the influenza virus are going around. They have to make up a new vaccine each year, to be sure it contains all the right strains that will provide immunity for the kinds of flu that are circulating at that time. Since the vaccine for the seasonal flu for this year in the Northern Hemisphere has just been manufactured and released very recently, it would not seem possible for it to be already expired. If you use a vaccine from a prior year (the more likely scenario if the expiration date on the bottle has already passed), then you will not be fully protected against the strains of virus that will be causing flu this year and may be taking something that could be harmful in addition to providing no protection.
You should talk to those at the source of the vaccine to find out why the vaccine would be expired.
How effective is the flu mist?
The seasonal flu shot is thought to be 70 - 90 % effective in prevention of the flu strains for which it is being given in otherwise healthy adults. It is slightly less effective for the very young or very old due to the immaturity of the young immune systems or the loss of function of some immune responses in the infirm or elderly. The variation for healthy adults is caused by how well (or not) the strain chosen to make the vaccine is matched to the actual strain of that flu that is in current circulation. The match between the flu vaccine and swine flu H1N1/09 is a very good match and it is projected to be over 90% effective, for example.
See the CDC Q&A on the subject in the related links section below.
The N1H1 vaccine will go to health care workers first, then to those that have weakened immune systems (elderly and small children, those will underlying health issues). Once that is done it will be available to the remainder.
If a large enough majority of the population is vaccinated then the spread of the infectious disease is hindered as there are not enough available hosts. As a result people who are not vaccinated are less likely to be exposed.
Why are vaccinations given only when child is small?
Because babies are more prone to developing complications from some of the diseases we vaccinate against. That's why children need to be immunized early in life - so they are protected as early as possible.
Is it common for kids to get fever post vaccination?
yes it is normal but if the child is 0-1yr don't let the fever get above 99.6 and if they are 2-4 101.6 degrees and 5 and up take to hospital if fever is 102 and rising because death will come at 106-108 degrees Fahrenheit.
Why is it difficult to vaccine against HIV?
HIV is a very complex, highly changeable virus. Even if it gets killed by the medicines or vaccines, it gets reactivated. Scientists are continuing to make and test HIV vaccines in animals, and even in human subjects.
Does flu immunization cover pneumonia?
Not directly. The flu shot will only prevent the specific type of viral influenza that the vaccine has been developed to prevent. Most pneumonia is due to bacterial infections and not viral, although viral pneumonia and bacterial pneumonia are both common secondary complications of influenza. So, in the sense of preventing the flu that might have a secondary complication of pneumonia, it could be somewhat effective but not assured. For better prevention of pneumonia, there is a pneumonia vaccine that can be received at the same time as the flu vaccine, which is often done in the elderly or those with underlying health problems, especially chronic lung or heart diseases.
Do you need vaccinations for India?
I would say so.
The risks to health whilst traveling will vary between individuals and many issues need to be taken into account, e.g. activities abroad, length of stay and general health of the traveler. It is recommended that you consult with your General Practitioner or Practice Nurse who will assess your particular health risks before recommending vaccines and /or antimalarial tablets. This is also a good opportunity to discuss important travel health issues including safe food and water, accidents, sun exposure and insect bites. Many of the problems experienced by travelers cannot be prevented by vaccinations and other preventive measures need to be taken.
Ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including repatriation. The 'T7' leaflet (from Post Offices) gives details of health care agreements between countries and is accompanied by an application form for the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The completed form must submitted about 6 weeks before you plan to leave to allow the card to reach you on time. The EHIC entitles travelers to reduced-cost, sometimes free, medical treatment in most European countries.
For Travel Safety Advice you should visit the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office website.
Immunizations- Confirm primary courses and boosters are up to date as recommended for life in Britain - including vaccines given to special groups because of risk exposure or complications (e.g. hepatitis B for health care workers, influenza and pneumococcal vaccines for the elderly).
- Courses or boosters usually advised: diphtheria; tetanus; poliomyelitis;hepatitis A; typhoid.
- Vaccines sometimes advised: hepatitis B; rabies; tuberculosis; Japanese B encephalitis; cholera.
- Yellow fever certificate required if over 6 months old and entering from, or being in transit through, an area with risk of yellow fever transmission within the previous 6 days.
- Tetanus is contracted through dirty cuts and scratches and poliomyelitis spread through contaminated food and water. They are serious infections of the nervous system.
- Typhoid, hepatitis A and polio are spread through contaminated food and water. Typhoid causes septicemia and hepatitis A causes liver inflammation and jaundice. In risk areas you should be immunized if good hygiene is impossible. Polio has in the past but also continues to cause crippling disease in those countries who have not managed to eradicate it.
- Cholera is spread through contaminated water and food. More common during floods and rainy seasons. Those unable to take effective precautions, for example, during wars and when working in refugee camps or slums may consider vaccination.
- Tuberculosis is most commonly transmitted via droplet infection. BCG vaccination is recommended for travelers under 16 years of age who will be living or working with local people for a prolonged period of time (three months or more). Following individual risk assessment, vaccination may also be considered for travelers under the age of 35 years who may be at high risk through their occupation abroad eg healthcare workers.
- Diphtheria is also spread by droplet infection through close personal contact. Vaccination is advised if close contact with local personnel is likely.
- Diphtheria is also spread by droplet infection through close personal contact. Vaccination is advised if close contact with locals in risk areas is likely.
- Hepatitis B is spread through infected blood, contaminated needles and sexual intercourse, It affects the liver, causes jaundice and occasionally liver failure. Vaccination is recommended for those at occupational risk (e.g. health care workers), for long stays or frequent travel to medium and high risk areas, for those more likely to be exposed such as children (from cuts and scratches) and those who may need surgical procedures.
- Japanese B encephalitis is spread by mosquitoes. It is a serious infection of the brain and vaccination is advised for those in risk areas unable to avoid mosquito bites, staying for long periods (e.g. more than 4 weeks) or visiting rural areas.
- Rabies is spread through bites or licks on broken skin from an infected animal. It is always fatal. Vaccination is advised for those going to risk areas that will be remote from a reliable source of vaccine. Even when pre-exposure vaccines have been received urgent medical advice should be sought after any animal bite.
- Malaria precautions are essential in all areas below 2000m, all year round. There is very low to no risk in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu, Kashmir and Sikkim, which are at high altitude (go to Malaria Map).
- Avoid mosquito bites by covering up with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellents on exposed skin and, when necessary, sleeping under a mosquito net.
- Check with your doctor or nurse about suitable antimalarial tablets.
- Chloroquine together with proguanil is usually recommended for risk areas (except for Assam).
- For Assam where resistance is more widespread atovaquone/proguanil OR doxycycline OR mefloquine is the first choice.
- If you have been travelling in a malarious area and develop a fever seek medical attention promptly. Remember malaria can develop even up to one year after exposure.
- If travelling to high risk malarious areas, remote from medical facilities, carrying emergency malaria standby treatment may be considered.
Taken from http://www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk/destinations/india.htm
For the latest information about any travel related vaccines, & diseases, including outbreaks, you MUST talk to a travel health specialist. You can do this 4-6 weeks before traveling in your home country. If not, then you can meet a travel health specialist in India. Big cities have good medical facilities, but travel health specialists are difficult to find. In Delhi or Chandigarh, you can find Travel Health specialist at TravelSafe clinic - a specialized center serving the needs of travelers to & from India.
