5 REASONS TO VACCINATE

ARE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY UP TO DATE WITH YOUR IMMUNISATIONS? The 24th-30th April 2020 is World Immunisation Week and while we patiently await the development of a vaccine for the COVID-19 virus (SARS-CoV-2), what better time to think about some of the preventable diseases that we already have vaccines for.

1. IMMUNISATION IS SIMPLE, SAFE AND EFFECTIVE. Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way of protecting people against harmful diseases. Before vaccines become available to the public, large clinical trials test them on thousands of people. In Australia, a vaccination safety system captures information from hundreds of thousands of vaccinations across Australia. The data shows that the rates of side effects after vaccination are extremely low.

2. IMMUNISATION SAVES LIVES. Immunisation prevents between 2-3 million deaths worldwide every year. Immunisation can mean the difference between life and death.

3. IMMUNISATION PREVENTS SERIOUS DISEASE. Many vaccine-preventable diseases can cause devastating complications. Meningococcal disease can cause serious long-term disabilities including brain damage, deafness or loss of limbs, particularly in children under 2 year of age and adolescents. Infection with pertussis (whooping cough) can lead to pneumonia, seizures and brain damage. Measles infection can cause complications including encephalitis (swelling of the brain), pneumonia, severe diarrhoea and dehydration, and permanent brain damage, blindness or hearing loss.

4. VACCINE-PREVENTABLE DISEASES HAVE NOT DISAPPEARED. INFLUENZA: Every year, there are an estimated 1 billion cases and between 290,000-650,000 influenza-related deaths worldwide. MEASLES: In 2019, more than 500,000 confirmed cases of measles were reported from more than 180 countries. In 2018, measles caused an estimated 140,000 deaths worldwide. MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE: In Australia, the incidence of meningococcal disease increased in 2017. Up to 1 in 10 of those infected may die and up to 1 in 5 may suffer serious long-term disabilities including brain damage or loss of limbs. The only vaccine-preventable disease that has been eradicated in the general population is small-pox.

5. HERD IMMUNITY PROTECTS EVERYONE. Immunisation not only protects individuals, but also protects the community by reducing the spread of preventable diseases. A contagious disease is spread from person to person. When a high percentage of the population is vaccinated, it is difficult for infectious diseases to spread because there are few people who can be infected. This is called ‘herd immunity’. Herd immunity protects those who are vulnerable such as newborn babies and people who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons.

LIST OF VACCINE PREVENTABLE DISEASES Here are some vaccine-preventable infections and diseases that can be found worldwide:

· Chicken Pox (Varicella) · Cholera · Diphtheria · Haemophilus influenza type b · Hepatitis A · Hepatitis B · Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and Cervical Cancer · Influenza · Measles · Meningococcal Disease (serogroup A, B, C, W, Y) · Mumps · Polio · Pneumococcal pneumonia · Rabies · Rotavirus · Rubella · Shingles · Tetanus · Tuberculosis · Typhoid · Whooping Cough · Yellow Fever

Keep in mind that some vaccines may only be given for certain age groups, for people in certain risk groups or for specific reasons, such as travel.

During current restrictions due to COVID-19, it is important not to delay essential immunisations. Immunisation rates must remain high so that with herd immunity, we are able to avoid future outbreaks of preventable diseases.

Have you and your family been immunised against these preventable diseases?

We hope that this information has prompted you to think about you and your family and whether you are up to date with your immunisations.

Why not make an appointment and speak to your doctor about which immunisations you require.

Dr Lufi and Dr Leah :)