Vaccination is the administration of antigenic material (a vaccine) to stimulate an individual’s immune system to develop adaptive immunity to a pathogen.
According to reports Vaccines can prevent or ameliorate infectious disease. When a sufficiently large percentage of a population has been vaccinated, herd immunity results.
The effectiveness of vaccination has been widely studied and verified. Vaccination is the most effective method of preventing infectious diseases.
Why are certain vaccinations offered every winter?
The onset of winter brings not only cold and miserable weather, but also the outbreak of winter illnesses. Certain diseases are more likely to spread during the cold months, when people’s immune levels drop and they become prone to infection. The cost to the Irish health system of treating people with these ailments is enormous, not to mention the cost to the economy with people off work, and the cost to the people themselves, in terms of pain and discomfort.
What vaccinations are available?
Each year, a new vaccine to protect against influenza is made available from September. People do not often think of the flu as a fatal disease, but it can be, and anyone who has experienced a bout of the illness will know that it is not pleasant. As the viruses that cause influenza mutate and change, the vaccine must change to keep pace. Therefore, a vaccination against flu is only valid for the year you receive it. The flu vaccine will not prevent you getting coughs and colds during winter.
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs, and can occur as a result of many different causes, including some other diseases. One of the most common ways to contract pneumonia during winter months is a nasty organism called Streptococcus Pneumoniae. As the name suggests, it is related to the bug that causes Strep throats. The good news is that there is a vaccine available that can prevent pneumonia developing from this sort of pneumococcal infection.
Who should be vaccinated in the autumn months?
Certain groups of people suffer greatly when they contract influenza, and they are encouraged to get a flu jab in September or October of each year to avoid infection. The flu shot is recommended for:
People over the age of 65
People with asthma, or any chronic respiratory illness
People with cystic fibrosis
People with heart disease
Children and teenagers on aspirin therapy because of the risk of Reye’s Syndrome
People with compromised or suppressed immune systems
People living in nursing homes and old people’s homes, or anywhere that influenza infection would spread rapidly.
Vaccination against a pneumococcal infection is recommended for:
People over the age of 65
People who have had their spleen removed or with any spleen related illness
People with a chronic illness of the heart, kidney, lung, or liver, including nephrotic syndrome and cirrhosis.
Adults with Diabetes mellitus
Anyone with Sickle Cell disease
People with compromised or suppressed immune systems, including anyone with HIV or AIDS at any stage.
Where can I get my winter shots?
If you feel you ought to receive a winter vaccination, do consult your GP who can advise you. It is likely that your GP will be able to give you any vaccinations you require.