Immunization Is Better Than Cure

A week ago, I brought my kids to our company initiated vaccination program.  It's not free but my wife told me the shots were cheaper than the usual price.  There were 4 vaccines available namely; for Influenza (Flu), Pneumonia, Hepatitis B, and Cervical Cancer HPV.  I had a Pneumococcal vaccination while my kids had their flu shots, having already done with the other needed vaccines.  Sharing some commonly asked questions answered during the orientation at the start of the program:

Flu Vaccine also known as a "flu shot" is an inactive vaccine, containing killed virus, injected through a needle usually in a person's arm or buttock's area.

How often should a person have a flu shot?

Yearly, different virus strain and type is likely to develop each year.

When will it take effect?

Antibodies against influenza viruses will develop about 2 weeks after vaccination.  Therefore, you can still be infected by an ill person within the time being.

Who should not be vaccinated?  

Without a doctor or physician's approval, the following should not receive flu shots:

• People having severe allergy to chicken eggs;
• Those who previously had severe reaction to the vaccine;
• Children younger than 6 months;
• A person with fever; and 
• Those with history of Guillain–Barré Syndrome.

What side effects may occur?

The flu shot can't give you flu since it contains killed viruses.  However, these side effects may occur after the shot and usually last 1 to 2 days, considering your healthy enough to take the vaccine:

• Soreness or muscle aches where the shot was given; and
• Low grade fever

Pneumococcal Vaccine (PPSV23) is for the immunization against 23 strains of pneumonia causing bacterium specifically pneumococcus.  Like the flu shot, it is also injected usually in a person's arm or buttocks.

How long will the vaccine take effect?

A healthy person develops antibodies 2 to 3 weeks after receiving the dose.  Usually, its only good for 5 years protection and another shot is needed afterwards.  But for some people, a single dose is already sufficient and booster doses are no longer required.  Still best, consult your doctor about it.

Are you protected from pneumonia when you had the vaccine shot?

Yes, but only for the 23 strains of pneumococcus bacteria included in the vaccine.  There are more than 80 types of pneumococcus bacteria and other several other microbes that causes pneumonia.  But these 23 types were the most leading cause of the said illness.

Who should receive the vaccine and who should not?

The following people are advisable to receive it:

• Adult 65 years of age and older;
• A person more than 2 years old with chronic heart or lung disorder; and,
• People more than 2 years old with diabetes mellitus,  chronic liver disease, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, blood malignancy (leukemia), immune deficiency (i.e. HIV infected), kidney failure, spleen dysfunction, multiple myeloma, spinal fluid leaks, and organ transplant;
• Cigarette smokers and alcohol drinkers; and
• Anyone 2 years and above taking drugs that lowers body resistance such as those in steroids, chemo and radiation therapy.

While these are the people who should seek first their doctor's advice:

• Those under 2 years of age
• Persons having history of hypersensitivity or severe reaction to the vaccine;
• People who are moderately or severely ill; and
• Pregnant women especially those in their first trimester.

Can a person receive other vaccines together with pneumococcal vaccination?
Yes, inactivated (or killed) viral and bacterial vaccines can be administered at the same time or at any time before or after a dose of PPSV23.

Any side effects?

Again, vaccines don't make you sick.  But, the following may occur to some people:

• Soreness or redness at the injected portion;
• Low grade fever;
• Mild rash; and,
• Allergic reaction.

Haven't took notes with the other 2 vaccines.  Don't get me wrong, they're equally important.  It's just that too much information is hard to digest (LOL).  So is it worth it?  Absolutely, I wouldn't wait for a member of my family to suffer any of these illnesses before I do something.  You can save much more in prevention than in cure.  The choice for me is really easy, the lives of my family are far more important just to save some money.  Yahweh bless.