(“Prevention is better than cure”)
What is immunization?
Immunization is a process protecting the people from specific infectious diseases by administering specific vaccine (Injectable or oral). These vaccines contain whole germs or a part of the germ which are either killed or weakened to induce immunity but not disease among the people who get vaccinated.
What are the benefits of immunization?
Immunization not only ensures protection of an individual from acquiring the specific disease but also reduces the transmission of infection to his family members as well. Also, when enough people in a community (around 80-90%) are immunized against a disease, the community develops ‘herd immunity’ (as seen in COVID infection) so that some of the disease outbreaks are prevented. Major milestones that are achieved by such mass vaccination are evident by the elimination of small pox infection, polio virus infection and maternal and neonatal tetanus infection.
Are there different types of immunizations available?
Yes. Immunization includes active immunization and passive immunization. Passive immunization is a temporary protection of individuals by administering pre formed antibodies against the infection or disease. Active immunization is by way of vaccination that ensures long term protection the diseases by the development of one’s own antibodies within the humans. These vaccines are disease specific. For e.g. Typhoid vaccine protects the person from typhoid infection only but not pneumonia. Therefore, different vaccines are available for the prevention of different diseases.
What is adult immunization?
Administering the vaccine for people aged 19yrs and above is called adult immunization. It also encompasses immunization of elderly people aged above 65 years
Is there a need for adult immunization?
As the age advances and especially in individuals after 65 years of age, due to the interplay between environmental and human factors, the immunity will decline (Immunoageing) and predispose them for various Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDs). This phenomenon of waning immunity in adults and elderly population is called Immunosenescence. Also, there are some subset of population who are suffering from one or the other diseases like diabetes, lung diseases, kidney failure, people on dialysis, people taking steroids or other immunosuppression drugs like cancer patients, HIV infection etc. people suffering from these diseases also develop decrease in their immunity and make them prone for various infections. Hence they need to be immunized to protect them vaccine preventable diseases.
What is life course immunization?
Immunizing the people by vaccinating them throughout their life to protect from various diseases is called life course immunization. This age group includes infants, children, adolescents, adults and elderly population. “Life-course immunization” has been adopted in many countries, as adult vaccination is an important cost effective contributor to healthy living.
What are vaccine preventable diseases?
The infectious diseases that can be prevented with vaccines are called vaccine preventable diseases. Susceptibility to different diseases varies according to age, comorbidities etc. Hence different types of vaccines are advised after considering the patient circumstances.
What are the risk factors for the development of vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs)?
The subset of people prone to develop VPDs and therefore needs vaccination includes patients with diabetes, chronic lung disease, renal failure, patients on dialysis, patients on steroids or other immunosuppressive drugs, patient undergoing spleenectomy, bone marrow transplant recipients etc.,
What are the recommended vaccines for adults?
Following vaccines are recommended for the adult and elderly population.
- Pneumococcal vaccine
- Meningococcal vaccine
- Herpes zoster vaccine
- Hepatitis A and B vaccine
- Cervical cancer vaccine (HPV vaccine)
- Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine
- Rabies Vaccine
- Influenza vaccine
- Vaccine for typhoid fever.
Are there any side effects of getting vaccinated?
All the vaccines are time tested and ensure the safety of the individual. However the vaccinated person might develop few minor response like pain at injection site, fever, giddiness, vomiting etc. very rarely, some vaccines might cause neurological disturbances which your health care giver can provide you the better insight.
A brief message about immunization center at JSS Hospital…
JSS multispecialty hospital, Mysuru has been catering its medical services to the patients at affordable prices since many years. To add a feather in the cap, we are opening an Adult immunization center from 26th of April 2023. This center is one its kind in very few hospitals across India and Karnataka. The center is being opened to commemorate the world immunization week which is celebrated every year in the last week of April (24-30 th April) across the globe. The adult immunization center will be functional throughout the year and vaccines are delivered on all working days. Here at Adult immunization center in JSS Hospital,
Apart from regular immunization, the public and health care professionals will be educated about the details of vaccine availability, effects and side effects, customization of vaccines for travelers, vaccines in special circumstances as described above. The public from in and around Mysuru can make use this unique opportunity at our adult immunization center. Prior request and registration are required for certain vaccines. For any clarification, please contact our land line number 0821- 2335505 and mobile number 9886754640.
Following vaccines are administered for adults and elderly population at JSS Hospital (at discounted price) on daily basis between 9.00am to 4.00pm.
- Pneumococcal vaccine
- Meningococcal vaccine
- Herpes zoster vaccine
- Hepatitis vaccine
- Cervical cancer vaccine
- Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine
- Rabies Vaccine
- Influenza vaccine
- Vaccine for typhoid fever
For further details, please contact
0821-2335505
9886754640