TYPES OF VACCINATION[Meningococcal]

MENINGOCOCCAL VACCINE

About the disease...

Meningococcal disease  is an infection caused by a strain of bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis. This nasty bug is one of the leading causes of bacterial meningitis  in children aged 2 to 18.

Meningococcal disease can include meningitis -- a serious, potentially life-threatening inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord -- and a life-threatening blood infection. Meningococcal disease can cause limb loss through amputation, hearing loss, problems with the nervous system, mental retardation, seizures, and strokes.

Fortunately, meningococcal disease is preventable, and the key to prevention is the meningococcal vaccine.

Symptoms of the disease...

More about Meningococcal Vaccine..

The first vaccine -- meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine or MPSV4 -- was approved in 1978. It's made with the antigens contained in the outer polysaccharide or sugar capsule that surrounds the bacterium.

The newer vaccine, approved in 2005, is the meningococcal conjugate vaccine or MCV4. It uses antigens taken from the polysaccharide capsule and then bound to a separate protein that targets the body's immune cells. This makes it easier for the body's immune system to see and recognize the antigens.

One type of MCV4, Menveo, is licensed for use in people aged 2 to 55. Another version, Menactra, is approved for those 9 months to 55 years old. MPSV4 is the only vaccine licensed for use in people over 55 as well as people 2 to 55. Both vaccines protect against four types of meningococcal disease.

Effectiveness of the Vaccine..

Both MCV4 and MPSV4 are about 90% effective in preventing meningococcal disease. There are actually several types of N meningitidis -- the bacterium that causes meningococcal disease.Both vaccines protect against four of those types.

MCV4 has not been available long enough to compare the long-term effectiveness of the two vaccines. But most experts think that MCV4 provides better, longer-lasting protection. 

TYPES OF VACCINATION [Pneumococcal]

PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINE

About Pneumococcal disease..

Pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae or pneumococcus. People can be infected with the bacteria, or they can carry it in their throat, and not be ill. Those carriers can still spread it, primarily in droplets from their nose or mouth when they breathe, cough, or sneeze.

Depending on what organ or part of the body is infected, pneumococcal disease will cause any of several serious illnesses, including:

• Bacterial meningitis, an infection of the covering of the brain and spinal cord that can lead to confusion, coma, and death as well as other physical effects, such as blindness or paralysis
• Pneumonia, an infection of the lungs and a common bacterial complication of influenza otitis media, a middle ear infection that can cause pain, swelling, sleeplessness, fever, and irritability
• Bacteremia, a dangerous infection of the blood stream
• Sinus infections

Pneumococcal Vaccine..

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) is recommended for all children younger than 5 years old, all adults 65 years or older, and people 6 years or older with certain risk factors.Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) is recommended for all adults 65 years or older. People 2 years through 64 years of age who are athigh risk of pneumococcal disease should also receive PPSV23.

This vaccine protects against pneumococcal infections, which mostly strike children under age 5 and can lead to some of the worst childhood diseases. Pneumococcal infections are one of the most common causes of death in the United States from a disease that's preventable with a vaccine.

The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, PCV13 or Prevnar 13®, is currently recommended for all children younger than 5 years of age, all adults 65 yea

rs or older, and persons 6 through 64 years of age with certain medical conditions.

Pneumovax® is a 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) that is currently recommended for use in all adults 65 years of age or older and for persons who are 2 years and older and at high risk for pneumococcal disease (e.g., those with sickle cell disease, HIV infection, or other immunocompromising conditions). PPSV23 is also recommended for use in adults 19 through 64 years of age who smoke cigarettes or who have asthma.

TYPES OF VACCINATION [ROTAVIRUS]

ROTAVIRUS VACCINATION

Rotavirus Infection..

Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe acute gastroenteritis (vomiting and severe diarrhea) among children worldwide.Rotavirus disease is highly contagious. The germ is present in the stool of an infected person and can remain viable for a long time on contaminated surfaces, including people's hands. Children catch it by touching something that's contaminated and then putting their hands in their mouth. The spread of rotavirus infection is a particular problem in hospitals and in day care settings, where it can be easily spread from child to child. It's also easily spread by day care workers, especially when they change diapers without washing their hands afterward.

Symptoms of rotavirus infection..

More about Rotavirus vaccine..

Two brands of rotavirus vaccine are available. Your baby will get either 2 or 3 doses, depending on which vaccine is used.

Doses of rotavirus vaccine are recommended at these ages:

• First Dose: 2 months of age
• Second Dose: 4 months of age
• Third Dose: 6 months of age (if needed)

Rotavirus vaccine is a liquid that is swallowed, not a shot.

Rotavirus vaccine may safely be given at the same time as other vaccines.

Rotavirus vaccine is very good at preventing diarrhea and vomiting caused by rotavirus. Almost all babies who get rotavirus vaccine will be protected from severe rotavirus diarrhea. And most of these babies will not get rotavirus diarrhea at all. The vaccine will not prevent diarrhea or vomiting caused by other germs.

Studies of the rotavirus vaccine have shown that it can prevent about 74% of rotavirus infections. More importantly, it can prevent approximately 98% of severe infections and 96% of hospitalizations from rotavirus. In one Massachusetts hospital, in two years, the number of people with rotavirus dropped from 65 to three. 

TYPES OF VACCINATION [MEASLES]

MEASLES VACCINATION

Measles is the most deadly of all childhood rash/fever illnesses. The disease spreads very easily, so it is important to protect against infection. Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent measles.

About the Vaccine..

Measles vaccine is given for protection against measles, the typical extemporaneous fever of childhood. It is a live viral vaccine. It is available in lyophilized form as powder in a bulb. Diluent is distilled water & is available as a separate ampoule. It is available as mono-dose or as multi-dose containing 2 or 5 doses. The final volume of reconstituted vaccine is 0.5 ml per dose. 

Measles vaccine is usually administered as MMR, a combination vaccine that provides protection against three viral diseases: measles,mumps and rubella. MMRV vaccine is licensed for children 12 months to 12 years of age and may be used in place of MMR vaccine if varicella vaccination is needed in addition to measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination. 

Dosage direction..

For children 2 doses are recommended

• The first dose at 12–15 months of age
•  The second dose before entering school, at 4–6 years of age

For adults 2 doses are recommended who are at higher risk, such as:

• College students, trade school students, or other students beyond high school
• Those who work in a hospital or other medical facility
• International travelers or those who are passengers on a cruise ship
• Women of childbearing age  

However, pregnant women should wait to get MMR vaccine until after they have given birth. Women should not become pregnant for 28 days following the receipt of the MMR vaccine or any of its components. (The combination MMRV vaccine is not licensed for those over 12 years old.)

TYPES OF VACCINATION [DTaP]

DTap Vaccination

{Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis}

Understanding the Disease

Tetanus (Lockjaw) is caused by toxin-producing spores of a bacterium, Clostridium tetani that inhabit the soil and the bowels of animals and humans. Unlike other vaccine-preventable diseases, it is not spread from person to person. Tetanus infection is most often the result of wound contamination in an unimmunized person or someone who has not had vaccine boosters in many years. Tetanus may occur following delivery in the newborn babies of unimmunized women. It may also occur following puncture wounds, animal bites, burns, abrasions and surgery.

The tetanus toxin causes severe muscle contractions, or spasms. Fever, sweating, elevated blood pressure, and rapid heart rate may also occur. Spasms of the vocal cords or the muscles of respiration can interfere with breathing, and pneumonia is common. Contraction of muscles can be so severe that the spine or other bones are fractured.

Between 40-60 cases of tetanus are reported in the United States each year, and 30% of those infected die. Death is more likely in newborn infants of unimmunized mothers and patients over 50 years of age.

Why get Vaccinated?

Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis are serious diseases caused by bacteria. Diphtheria and pertussis are spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through cuts or wounds.

DIPHTHERIA causes a thick covering in the back of the throat.

• It can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, and even death.

TETANUS (Lockjaw) causes painful tightening of the muscles, usually all over the body.

• It can lead to "locking" of the jaw so the victim cannot open his mouth or swallow. Tetanus leads to death in up to 2 out of 10 cases.

PERTUSSIS (Whooping Cough) causes coughing spells so bad that it is hard for infants to eat, drink, or breathe. These spells can last for weeks.

• It can lead to pneumonia, seizures (jerking and staring spells), brain damage, and death.

Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine (DTaP) can help prevent these diseases. Most children who are vaccinated with DTaP will be protected throughout childhood. Many more children would get these diseases if we stopped vaccinating.

Risks from DTap vaccine

Getting diphtheria, tetanus, or pertussis disease is much riskier than getting DTaP vaccine.

However, a vaccine, like any medicine, is capable of causing serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of DTaP vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.

Mild Problems:

• Fever (up to about 1 child in 4)
• Redness or swelling where the shot was given (up to about 1 child in 4)
• Soreness or tenderness where the shot was given (up to about 1 child in 4)

These problems occur more often after the 4th and 5th doses of the DTaP series than after earlier doses. Sometimes the 4th or 5th dose of DTaP vaccine is followed by swelling of the entire arm or leg in which the shot was given, lasting 1-7 days (up to about 1 child in 30).

Other Mild Problems

• Fussiness (up to about 1 child in 3)
• Tiredness or poor appetite (up to about 1 child in 10)
• Vomiting (up to about 1 child in 50)

These problems generally occur 1-3 days after the shot.

Moderate Problems

• Seizure (jerking or staring) (about 1 child out of 14,000)
• Non-stop crying, for 3 hours or more (up to about 1 child out of 1,000)
• High fever, over 105°F (about 1 child out of 16,000)

Severe Problems

• Serious allergic reaction (less than 1 out of a million doses)
• Several other severe problems have been reported after DTaP vaccine. These include:
  • Long-term seizures, coma, or lowered consciousness
  • Permanent brain damage.
  These are so rare it is hard to tell if they are caused by the vaccine.

Controlling fever is especially important for children who have had seizures, for any reason. It is also important if another family member has had seizures. You can reduce fever and pain by giving your child an aspirin-free pain reliever when the shot is given, and for the next 24 hours, following the package instructions.

TYPES OF VACCINATION [HEPATITIS A]

HEPATITIS A VACCINATION

What is hepatitis A? Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is present worldwide and is the agent of one of the most widespread infections transmitted via the fecal-oral route. In countries with poor hygiene and consequent wide presence of feces in the environment, the vast majority of subjects is infected within 5 years of age (usually without any sign or symptom of acute hepatitis), thus acquiring life-long immunity. Outbreaks and epidemics are rare due to the high herd immunity level in the population.HAV infection is transmitted both by direct contact with infected subjects and by ingestion of contaminated food and drinks (WHO 1995). Since HAV circulation is diminished but not eliminated, both large epidemics (like the one registered in 1996–97 in Puglia, Italy) (Malfait et al 1996;Lopalco et al 2005) or more limited outbreaks (frequently starting in schools or day-care centers) can occur. HAV Vaccine All of the hepatitis A vaccines are highly immunogenic and efficacious. Approximately 97 to 100% of children, adolescents, and adults develop protective antibody levels within 1 month of the first dose of vaccine. Essentially 100% of vaccines develop high antibody titres after completing the 2-dose series, with long-term persistence of protective antibody levels 10 years out from vaccination. In randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials, 94-100% children were protected against clinical hepatitis A after receiving the equivalent of a single dose. Here is a picture that shows the Groups recommended for Hepatitis A Vaccine

TYPES OF VACCINATION [HEPATITIS B]

HEPATITIS B VACCINATION

WHAT IS HEPATITIS B??

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is transmitted from one person to another through blood and body fluids, and primarily infects the liver. In the United States, it is most commonly spread through sexual contact or injection drug use. Health care workers and others exposed to infected blood or body fluids are also at high risk for infection. Worldwide, it is most commonly spread to infants by their infected mothers.

Hepatitis B can cause:

Acute (short-term) illness. This can lead to:

• loss of appetite • diarrhea and vomiting

• tiredness • jaundice (yellow skin or eyes)

• pain in muscles, joints, and stomach

Acute illness, with symptoms, is more common among adults. Children who become infected usually do not have symptoms.Chronic (long-term) infection. Some people go on to 

develop chronic hepatitis B infection.

Hepatitis B virus is easily spread through contact with the 

blood or other body fluids of an infected person. People can also be infected from contact with a contaminated object, where the virus can live for up to 7 days.

• A baby whose mother is infected can be infected at birth;

• Children, adolescents, and adults can become infected 

by:

- contact with blood and body fluids through breaks in

the skin such as bites, cuts, or sores;

- contact with objects that have blood or body fluids on

them such as toothbrushes, razors, or monitoring and 

treatment devices for diabetes;

- having unprotected sex with an infected person;

- sharing needles when injecting drugs;

- being stuck with a used needle.

HEPATITIS B VACCINE: Why get vaccinated?

Hepatitis B vaccine can prevent hepatitis B, and the serious consequences of hepatitis B infection, including liver cancer and cirrhosis.Hepatitis B vaccine may be given by itself or in the same shot with other vaccines.Routine hepatitis B vaccination was recommended for 

some U.S. adults and children beginning in 1982, and for all children in 1991. Since 1990, new hepatitis B infections among children and adolescents have dropped by more than 

95%—and by 75% in other age groups.Vaccination gives long-term protection from hepatitis B infection, possibly lifelong.

Who should get HEPATITIS B vaccine and when?

Children and adolescents

• Babies normally get 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine:

1st Dose: Birth

2nd Dose: 1-2 months of age

3rd Dose: 6-18 months of age

 Some babies might get 4 doses, for example, if a combination vaccine containing hepatitis B is used. (This is a single shot containing several vaccines.) The extra

dose is not harmful.

• Anyone through 18 years of age who didn’t get the vaccine when they were younger should also be vaccinated.

Adults

• All unvaccinated adults at risk for hepatitis B infection should be vaccinated. This includes:

- sex partners of people infected with hepatitis B,

- men who have sex with men,

- people who inject street drugs,

- people with more than one sex partner,

- people with chronic liver or kidney disease,

- people under 60 years of age with diabetes, 

- people with jobs that expose them