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Vaccination
Injection of a killed microbe in order to stimulate the immune system against the microbe, thereby preventing disease. Vaccinations, or immunizations, work by stimulating the immune system, the natural disease-fighting system of the body. The healthy immune system is able to recognize invading bacteria and viruses and produce substances (antibodies) to destroy or disable them. Immunizations prepare the immune system to ward off a disease. To immunize against viral diseases, the virus used in the vaccine has been weakened or killed. To only immunize against bacterial diseases, it is generally possible to use a small portion of the dead bacteria to stimulate the formation of antibodies against the whole bacteria. In addition to the initial immunization process, it has been found that the effectiveness of immunizations can be improved by periodic repeat injections or "boosters." Also see Vaccines (in the plural) and Vaccine of a specific type (such Vaccine, Polio).
Vaccination, anthrax
A series of six shots over six months and booster shots annually, the anthrax vaccine now in use in the USA was first developed in the 1950s and approved by the Food and Drug Administration for general use in 1970. It is produced by the Michigan Biologic Products Institute of Michigan’s Department of Health and is given routinely to veterinarians and others working with livestock. In December, 1997 it was announced that all US military would receive the vaccine, as do the military in the UK and Russia, the reason being concern that anthrax might be used in biologic warfare.
Vaccination, chickenpox (varicella)
This vaccine prevents the common disease known as chickenpox (varicella zoster). While chickenpox is often considered a trivial illness, it can cause significant lost time on the job and in school and have serious complications including ear infections, pneumonia, and infection of the rash with bacteria, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) leading to difficulty with balance and coordination (cerebellar ataxia), damaged nerves (palsies), and Reye’s syndrome, a potentially fatal complication. The vaccination requires only one shot given at about a year of age. If an older person has not had chickenpox, the shot may be given at any time. There have been few significant reactions to the chickenpox vaccine. All children, except those with a compromised immune system or a known neurological condition, should have the vaccination.
Vaccination, children’s
In the United States, it is recommended that all children receive vaccination against: - Hepatitis B - Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis - Haemophilus influenzae type B (HIB)
- Poliovirus
- Measles, mumps, rubella
- Varicella zoster virus (chickenpox). Every child in the U.S. should have these vaccinations except when there are special circumstances and the child’s doctor advises specifically against a vaccination
Vaccination, DPT
DPT immunization protects from diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and tetanus and is given in a series of 5 shots at 2, 4, 6, 18 months of age and 4-6 years of age. Thanks to vaccination programs, these diseases have become less common. However, there are still unvaccinated individuals capable of carrying and passing diphtheria and pertussis to others who are not vaccinated. Tetanus bacteria are prevalent in natural surroundings, such as contaminated soil. See also Vaccination, DTaP.
Vaccination, DT
DT (diphtheria and tetanus) vaccine does not protect from pertussis and is usually reserved for individuals who have had a significant adverse reaction to a DPT shot or who have a personal or family history of a seizure disorder or brain disease
Vaccination, DTaP
Like DPT, DTaP protects from diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) and tetanus. DTaP is the same as DTP, except that it contains only acellular pertussis vaccine which is thought to cause fewer of the minor reactions associated with immunization and is also probably less likely to cause the more severe reactions occasionally seen following pertussis vaccination. DTaP is currently recommended only for the shots given at 18 months and 4-6 years of age.
Vaccination, German measles
See Vaccination, MMR.
Vaccination, H. flu
This immunization is designed to prevent disease due to Haemophilus influenzae (H. flu), specifically Haemophilus influenzae type B (HIB).
The HIB bacteria is responsible for a range of serious "invasive" diseases including meningitis with potential brain damage and epiglottitis with airway obstruction. More than 90% of all HIB infections occur in children 5 years of age or less; the peak attack rate is at 6-12 months of age.
The HIB vaccine is usually given at 2, 4 and 6 months of age and a final booster is given at 12-15 months of age. HIB vaccine rarely causes severe reactions. The HIB vaccine has almost eradicated the disease. Before the vaccine, some 20,000 cases of HIB invasive disease in preschool children were reported every year in the U.S. compared to less than 300 cases after the advent of the vaccine.
The vaccine is a "conjugate" vaccine. It joins ("conjugates") sugars from the HIB bacteria with a protein from another bacteria. The protein stimulates the baby's immature immune cells so they produce antibodies to the HIB sugars, protecting the child from HIB infection.
The prestigious Albert Lasker Award for Clinical Medical Research was given in 1996 to David H. Smith, Porter W. Anderson Jr., John B. Robbins and Rachel Schneerson for their work in developing a vaccine against Haemophilus influenzae type B.
Vaccination, Haemophilus influenzae type B
This immunization is designed to prevent diseases caused by Haemophilus influenzae type B (HIB), a bacteria responsible for a range of serious "invasive" diseases including meningitis with potential brain damage and epiglottitis with airway obstruction.
More than 90% of all HIB infections occur in children 5 years of age or less; the peak attack rate is at 6-12 months of age.
The HIB vaccine is usually given at 2, 4 and 6 months of age and a final booster is given at 12-15 months of age. HIB vaccine rarely causes severe reactions. The HIB vaccine has almost eradicated the disease. Before the vaccine, some 20,000 cases of HIB invasive disease in preschool children were reported every year in the U.S. compared to less than 300 cases after the advent of the vaccine.
The HIB vaccine is a "conjugate" vaccine. It joins ("conjugates") sugars from the HIB bacteria with a protein from another bacteria. The protein stimulates the baby's immature immune cells so they produce antibodies to the HIB sugars, protecting the child from HIB infection.
The prestigious Albert Lasker Award for Clinical Medical Research was given in 1996 to David H. Smith, Porter W. Anderson Jr., John B. Robbins and Rachel Schneerson for their work in developing a vaccine against Haemophilus influenzae type B
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