I. Q: What is a vaccine? A: Vaccines are a treatment that can prevent certain serious or even fatal infections. They allow the body to learn how to fight the causative organisms that cause infections. Most vaccines are given by intradermal injection, but some are also inhaled through the nose or swallowed by mouth. Q: Why do I need to get vaccinated? A: Vaccination can prevent diseases. Also, vaccination can protect people around you from getting sick. Q: What vaccinations do adults need? A: Your doctor will tell you which vaccinations you need. Adults need many vaccines, even if some of them were given as children. These vaccines fight the following infectious diseases: 1. Influenza – Influenza can cause fever, chills, myalgia, cough and sore throat. It can even cause pneumonia. 2. diphtheria-tetanus – Vaccines against these two diseases are usually given together. Diphtheria causes a thick covering on the surface of the throat, which can lead to difficulty breathing. Tetanus can cause abnormal muscle movements. 3. Whooping cough – As the disease’s name implies, it causes severe breathing difficulties in infants and children. Children and adults can also contract the disease. Vaccination of adults can prevent babies and children around them from being infected. The pertussis vaccine is given together with the diphtheria and tetanus vaccine (commonly known as the diphtheria vaccine). Depending on age, medical condition, occupation, travel plans, and other circumstances, some adults also need other vaccines that fight the following diseases: 1. Pneumococcal – Pneumococcal bacteria can cause infections in the lungs, ears, blood, or tissues around the brain. 2, meningococcus – Meningococcus can cause infections of the blood and tissues around the brain. 3, Herpes zoster virus – Herpes zoster virus can cause painful skin rash and blisters. 4, human papillomavirus – human papillomavirus can cause cervical cancer. It can also cause condyloma acuminata. Young adults, especially women, should get this vaccination. 5. Other infections such as measles, smallpox, hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Q: What dose of the vaccine do I need? A: Each vaccine is different. Some require only one dose, while others require two or more doses. Some vaccines can prevent infection for life, others cannot. A “booster” is a dose of vaccine that needs to be given again some years later to remind the body how to prevent infection. Vaccines given in childhood sometimes require a “booster” in adulthood. People who travel to other countries sometimes need a “booster” as well. V. Q: When should I get vaccinated? A: There are different vaccinations for different ages. Your doctor will make an appropriate schedule for you. Most vaccines work within a few weeks. 6. Q: What are the side effects of vaccines? A: Generally speaking, there are no side effects from vaccines. If there are, they include: redness, mild swelling or pain at the vaccination site mild fever mild rash headache or generalized pain Vaccines can also cause serious side effects, such as severe allergies. However, these side effects are very rare. 7. Q: What if I have an egg allergy? A: If you have an egg allergy, tell your doctor. Some vaccines contain egg ingredients. However, people with mild allergies can still get vaccines that contain egg. Also, there are vaccines that do not contain egg and can be used for people with severe allergies. Your doctor will tell you which vaccines are safe. 8. Q: What if I am pregnant or planning to get pregnant? A: Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. There are vaccines that should not be given. And there are vaccines that must be given during pregnancy so that the fetus can be protected.