IMMUNISATION ACROSS AGE GROUPS

Immunization is an important aspect of care, as it protects against various diseases. It is the process of administering vaccines against threatening diseases. These vaccines produce antibodies to fight against the ill effects of the diseases so that when a vaccinated person comes in contact with an infection, he is better able to resist it, as his body has built up immunity against that particular disease.

Vaccinations are not only meant for children but adults as well.  It helps reduce the number of times they fall prey to illness, and also strengthens the immune system.  The body becomes more capable of facing such diseases and fights them off before they turn serious.

There are various vaccinations available for children and adults. The vaccines for children are:

●             Chickenpox (Varicella) Vaccine

●             Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis Vaccine (DTP)

●             Pneumococcal Vaccine (PCV)

●             Polio Vaccine (IPV)

●             Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine

●             Influenza Vaccine

●             Hepatitis B Vaccine (Hep B)

●             Hib Vaccine

●             Hepatitis A Vaccine (Hep A)

●             Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccine (MMR)

●             Meningococcal Vaccines

●             Rotavirus Vaccine

These are some of the vaccines that should be compulsorily given to children. By vaccinating the children against these diseases, they develop a stronger immunity system to tackle them. This also helps them in their adulthood, as they have developed a resistance to such diseases. Nonetheless, adults must also be vaccinated from time to time to reduce the chances of falling sick.

Some of the vaccines for adults are:

●Vaccine for Seasonal Flu (Influenza) to be taken every year. This Vaccine is especially helpful for persons suffering from chronic diseases, or pregnant women

●hose who could not get the DTP Vaccine previously should get it done now to prevent from a whooping cough

●Younger adults, aged between 19-26 years, should get an HPV Vaccine which prevents against many types of cancers. This Vaccination is recommended for girls up to 26 years of age and for boys up to 21 years of age

●For adults above 27 years, an Influenza Vaccination must be administered every year. Adults aged above 50 years should get a Zoster Vaccine to prevent against shingles and its complications

●Pneumococcal Vaccine, which prevents Pneumococcal Disease (which causes infection in the lungs and the bloodstream)  is recommended for all those who are 65 years and older

These are some of the vaccines which are important for children as well as adults. They must be administered as scheduled, especially for children, to prevent debilitating illnesses.