We use the terms "vaccine" and "immunization" interchangeably. Strictly speaking, there is a difference. When a person is infected with a germ (measles, for example), the body makes antibodies to fight the germ. In many cases, those antibodies last forever this keeps the person from catching measles again. It's better to get the person to create the antibodies without making them suffer the disease: that's what vaccines do. A tiny bit of antigen is given: enough to cause antibody production, but not enough to cause. significant illness.
The oral polio vaccine is an attenuated vaccine. This kind of vaccine is capable of causing illness, but does so very rarely and usually in a mild form. The recommendation was switched to the injectable polio vaccine a few years ago to eliminate those rare cases of vaccine-associated polio cases.
An example of a killed vaccine would be the injectable polio vaccine. The virus in this case is already dead. Therefore, there is no way that it can cause the disease
An example of a toxoid vaccine is the tetanus shot. This particular vaccine contains a protein which is just a part of the infectious agent. There is no way that this type can cause a disease.
A few vaccines only have to be given once per lifetime. Most vaccines require one to several "booster" doses. The schedule varies from vaccine to vaccine; we'll let you know. The amount of antibody made after the first dose is not always enough to fully protect the recipient. The next dose causes an amnestic response, producing more antibody
Not only does getting this vaccine protect the person who gets it, it also protects other people you come in contact with. However, you can’t count on the other people to get vaccinated to protect you.
Most vaccines are between 70% and 90% effective. What every patient should be aware of is that no vaccine is 100% protective.
Vaccines can make a disease extinct. Take for example Smallpox. Vaccines have eradicated one disease in the United States; Polio. Vaccines have made several diseases rare in the United States namely Measles, Rubella (German measles), and Diptheria.
The simple answer is yes, vaccines are safe. The very small risk of serious problems from vaccines is far outweighed by the protection they provide. The MMR vaccine does not cause autism, period. Talk to us if you have any questions.
Most vaccines cause pain at the place where the injection is given. Giving a dose of acetaminophen (Tylenol) along with the vaccine can help to prevent pain. Some vaccines can cause fever. Giving a dose of acetaminophen (Tylenol) along with the vaccine can help to prevent fever as well. Serious side effects are very, very rare. Seizures after pertussis vaccines have been highly publicized, but occur less than once in 500 thousand doses. We will always give a Vaccine Information Statement before giving any vaccine. Make sure we answer all your questions before you let us give a vaccine.
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