Smallpox Vaccine

Smallpox is all but eradicated in the Western world. That's due to the early adoption of the smallpox vaccine, which was discovered in the late 1700s. The smallpox vaccine contained the cowpox virus, a similar but less virulent form of the disease. Today, people do not routinely receive the smallpox vaccine.

After the terrorist acts of September 11, 2001 in New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C., the United States government stockpiled enough smallpox vaccine to inoculate every U.S. citizen in the case of a smallpox biological attack. Soldiers and military contractors often are given the smallpox vaccine as well as a precaution.

What can you expect if you do receive the smallpox vaccine? According to the CDC, the vaccination is given via a two-pronged needle, not the standard hypodermic. The administrator pricks the skin several times, and:

If the vaccination is successful, a red and itchy bump develops at the vaccine site in three or four days. In the first week, the bump becomes a large blister, fills with pus, and begins to drain. During the second week, the blister begins to dry up and a scab forms. The scab falls off in the third week, leaving a small scar. People who are being vaccinated for the first time have a stronger reaction than those who are being revaccinated.

The smallpox vaccine is not to be taken lightly. The vaccine site can actually spread the disease throughout the body or to other people. Children under 12 cannot receive the vaccine, and the CDC cautions against giving the smallpox vaccine to children under 18 unless there is an emergency. Risk factors for vaccination include high blood pressure, diabetes, smokers, people with reduced immunity, and those with a heart condition. .001% of people have a serious reaction to the vaccine.

Typhoid Vaccine

If you are traveling to South-East or South-Central Asia, then it is recommended that you receive the Typhoid vaccine. Typhoid Fever is passed through food and water contaminated by feces of a person who is infected with the disease. Proper food handling has reduced the incidences of the infection, but certain countries have lax standards, which have facilitated the spread of Typhoid. Thus, you should check to see if a Typhoid vaccine is recommended for the region to which you are traveling.

Typhoid is a disease marked by high fever, sweating, diarrhea, and sometimes a rash. Left untreated, the disease can be fatal. According to the CDC, travelers should receive the immunization 2 weeks prior to traveling for it to be effective. The Typhoid vaccine is effective for preventing Typhoid fever, but not 100% so; thus, travelers are highly encouraged to carefully monitor their eating and drinking.

The Typhoid vaccine is administered either by injection or orally. It is safe but can cause generally mild reactions, including fever, headache, and redness at the injection site. Rarely, gastrointestinal difficulties, including vomiting, can occur. People with weakened immune systems or who have had a previous reaction the Typhoid vaccine should not receive the vaccine.

Rabies Vaccine

The rabies vaccine is not given to people during the normal vaccination schedule. The vaccine is given to two groups of people: those who have been exposed to rabies through a wound and those who are at risk for rabies, include vets, lab workers, and spelunkers (due to their proximity to bats). People who are visiting countries with high numbers of rabid dogs should also think about receiving the rabies vaccine.

The rabies vaccine consists of 3 shots within 3 weeks. For those exposed to rabies, 4 shots are given within 2 weeks with an extra shot known as the Rabies Immune Globulin (2 shots are given to people exposed to the rabies virus but have been previously vaccinated). A new rabies shot might require only one shot.

Severe reactions to the rabies vaccine are not common. However, redness and irritation might occur, and some people might experience joint pain after receiving the shot. Seek medical attention if you experience a fever or shortness of breath.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

Hepatitis B is a serious virus that can lead to chronic liver disease or liver cancer. It is passed through the sharing of bodily fluids. The Hepatitis B vaccine protects against the transmission of the virus.

Available since 1982, the Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for infants (due to the fact that the earlier the disease is transmitted, the greater the chance it will be chronic) and is required by most school districts in order for a child to be admitted to school. The Hepatitis B vaccine usually consists of three doses and is safe, with some people reporting mild reactions, such as redness at the injection point. Serious reactions are rare.

Those who have had previous severe reaction to a previous dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine or are allergic to yeast should not receive the vaccine. Those who are at risk for contacting the virus, such as health care workers, sexually active people with multiple partners, prison inmates, and users of injectable drugs, should consider receiving the immunization.

MMR Vaccine

The MMR vaccine is a shot that immunizes against measles, mumps, and rubella (known also as German Measles). It is generally given as part of the childhood vaccination schedule and is often given in concert with the varicella, or chicken pox vaccine. The MMR vaccine has reduced the occurrence of measles, mumps, and rubella to virtually nil in the United States.

Side effects are relatively common but mild, including low-grade fevers and rashes. Rarely, children can have seizures or bleeding issues.

Your child should not receive the MMR vaccine if she is allergic to gelatin, the antibiotic neomycin, or if your child has had an severe reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine. Also, talk with your doctor if your child has a suppressed immune system.

The MMR vaccine does not cause autism. The studies that prompted some parents to forgo the shot have been proven to be false.

Vaccination Schedule

Knowing your baby's vaccination schedule is vital to her health. But beyond a baby's vaccination schedule is the adolescent's as well as the schedule for delayed vaccines. So, what immunizations does your child need, and when does she need it?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, there are 10 immunizations that children need, including: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Polio, and the MMR vaccine. The vaccination schedule for children 3 and under can be found here (PDF).

Most vaccines for adolescents are for high-risk groups and as "catch up" shots. However, young girls can also receive the HPV vaccine (around ages 11-12). Also in that age range are the Meningococcal vaccination and the Tdap immunization.

If your child has missed doses, the American Academy of Pediatrics has posted the "catch up" schedule here.

And each year, it is recommended that children (and adults) receive a flu shot.

Make sure you keep your children up to date with their vaccination schedule in order to preserve their health (and preserve the health of society).

Chicken Pox Vaccine

The chicken pox used to be an itchy rite of passage for young kids. But now that we have a chicken pox vaccine, we can put down the Calamine lotion.

The chicken pox vaccine, or varicella vaccine, is administered to a child twice: once between the ages of 12 to 18 months and then when the child is between the ages of 4 and 6.

It is a live vaccine, and it is given through a shot. Side effects are generally mild and include soreness, redness, or a rash at the injection site. Serious side effects are extremely rare.

Who should get the chicken pox vaccine? Children and adults who have not yet had the disease, as chicken pox can cause shingles and pneumonia. People with suppressed immune systems and those allergic to gelatin or the antibiotic neomycin (as well as those who have had a reaction to the varicella vaccine in the past) should not be immunized.

Have you had issues with the chicken pox vaccine? Do you think kids should get the chicken pox "naturally?" Share here!

Meningitis Vaccine

Is your child off to college or currently enrolled in a university? If so, you might want to consider having your child receive a meningitis vaccine. Meningitis often spreads on college campuses due to close living quarters and the sharing of drinks and utensils. What are the risks of meningitis, and why should your teen get the meningitis vaccine? According to the CDC:

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. People sometimes refer to it as spinal meningitis. Meningitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Knowing whether meningitis is caused by a virus or bacterium is important because the severity of illness and the treatment differ depending on the cause. Viral meningitis is generally less severe and clears up without specific treatment. But bacterial meningitis can be quite severe and may result in brain damage, hearing loss, or learning disabilities.

Luckily, the vaccine immunizes against the bacterial form of the disease, and there are two brand names: Menactra and Menomune. Children as young age 11 can receive it, and it's recommended for high-school age kids. If your child is entering college, it is highly recommended for them to receive a meningitis vaccine before entering.

There have been some cases of serious side effects. In 2005, 5 people contracted the nerve disorder Guillain-Barré after receiving a meningitis vaccine. More frequent side effects include headache, weakness, redness and pain at the injection site, and fever.

You shouldn't get the meningitis vaccine? Those with suppressed immune systems or who have had previous strongly adverse reactions should not receive the vaccine.

Flu Mist

If you don't like shots, then a flu mist is available to help vaccinate you and your children this season. Instead of introducing the vaccine via the bloodstream, the flu mist is sprayed into the nostrils. From there, the mist helps the body create antibodies that will protect against the flu.

Who should receive the flu mist? According to the FluMist Web site:

FluMist must not be given to: people with history of hypersensitivity to eggs, egg proteins, gentamicin, gelatin, or arginine; people with life-threatening reactions to previous influenza vaccinations; and children and adolescents receiving aspirin or aspirin-containing therapy.

Children under two and adults over 50 also cannot receive the flu mist, as well as those with a history of Guillain–Barré Syndrome as a result of a flu shot and pregnant women.

In past studies, the flu mist has been shown to be as effective as the flu shot (if not more); keep in mind, however, that flu strains vary year to year.

Thus, the flu mist is a good alternative to the flu shot if you are between the ages of 2 and 49 and are healthy. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Symptoms of Swine Flu: Vaccine Shortage

One of the symptoms of swine flu epidemic is the vaccine shortage. In many states, only high-risk groups, such as pregnant women, children, and the elderly, are prioritized to receive the shot. Manufacturers were unable to produce enough of the vaccine to meet the demand. According to NPR,

That's because they didn't have the chemicals — called reagents — that would have told them how much active ingredient they had in their vaccine production vats.

In other words, they thought they had more of the vaccine than they actually had.

And that's ridiculous. After all, President Barack Obama has declared an H1N1 emergency in the United States. At this time, forty-six states have widespread swine flu outbreaks.

Symptoms of swine flu include: fever, fatigue, runny nose, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, cough, diarrhea, and vomiting. Swine flu can also lead to death.

That is why it's vital that the swine flu vaccine shortage be rectified immediately. In the meantime, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly in hot water, use hand sanitizers, sneeze and cough into your shoulder, get proper sleep, and eat a nutritious diet.

What Are Vaccines?

What Are Vaccines? Vaccines contain live or dead biological agents that are introduced into the body to stimulate the immune system. This, in short, helps protect a person against contracting a disease such as measles or polio.

This blog, What Are Vaccines?, provides information on vaccinations, health, and family. Though this blog strives for accuracy, make sure to check with your doctor before making any decisions regarding vaccines for yourself or your children.

Any questions regarding vaccinations? Make sure to comment here, and we'll try to answer your inquiries in future blog posts.