National Immunisation Awareness Week - adult immunisation

Immunisations are hugely important in an over-populated and in some parts poverty-stricken country such as South Africa where infection and disease can rapidly reach epidemic proportions.

Adult immunisation is as important as it is for children in that oftentimes diseases that can be relatively easy to overcome as a child, albeit with the proper medical care, can be far more serious when experienced in older age. Adults are also less likely to isolate themselves for the full extent of an infection or disease so more able to spread said infection or disease to others; if vaccinated against these infections the risk of it being passed on is reduced.

Some diseases such as smallpox have been completely wiped out with the help of effective immunisation and it is hoped that others, such as polio and measles, will soon be destroyed. However, if people are not vaccinated, these diseases could return and this is why it is so important to maintain the rates of vaccination. For a highly infectious disease, such as measles, about 95% of people need to be vaccinated to give this protective effect, known as herd immunity.

For adults there are several vaccines that are recommended for certain risk groups:

· Pneumococcal vaccine is routinely recommended for all adults over 65 years or for those persons who have chronic chest problems or are immune compromised;

· Flu vaccine is recommended annually for everyone, particular those over age of 65 years and that have serious health problems, and

· Tetanus is completely preventable by active tetanus immunisation. Immunisation is thought to provide protection for 10 years. Immunisation of tetanus begins in infancy but it is important to remember to keep up tetanus boosters to maintain immunity in ages 11 to 65, especially those persons at risk i.e. farmers etc.

Adults also need to take responsibility for getting the required vaccinations when travelling to certain areas where they may be exposed to serious disease such as cholera, typhoid, yellow fever or others. Certain of these vaccinations need to be taken several months before travelling it is imperative that the vaccination schedule is planned well in advance.

Commonly recommended Immunisations for travellers are:

· Cholera;

· Hepatitis A (immunoglobulin);

· Polio;

· Tetanus;

· Typhoid, and

· Yellow Fever (for travel further into Africa).

The following are additional vaccines that may be appropriate for travellers depending upon the nature of the journey planned and the activities contemplated. These are for the more high risk travellers and travel regions:

· Hepatitis A (vaccine);

· Hepatitis B;

· Rabies, and

· TB.

For more information on this and other important health related issues visit www.clicks.co.za or visit your nearest Clicks Clinic to arrange an appointment to discuss which vaccinations are needed for your family.

Clicks
www.clicks.co.za