Subtitle: Overview of the 5 Most Important Vaccines
Vaccines have been used to protect individuals from a variety of diseases for centuries, and their effectiveness and safety have been proven time and again. Vaccines work by stimulating the body’s own immune system to produce antibodies that can fight off a disease if it is ever encountered. Vaccines can be administered in several ways, including injection, drops, and oral tablets.
The most important vaccines are those that are recommended or required by public health organizations for all individuals. These vaccines are typically divided into two categories: routine and catch-up. Routine vaccines are those that are recommended for all individuals at certain ages, while catch-up vaccines are those that target specific groups of individuals.
Five of the most important vaccines that are recommended or required for all individuals are the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) vaccine, the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, the inactivated poliovirus (IPV) vaccine, the hepatitis B vaccine, and the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine.
Subtitle: Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis Vaccine (DTaP)
The diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) vaccine is a combination vaccine that protects against three serious diseases. Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that causes a thick covering in the throat, and can be fatal, while tetanus is a bacterial infection that causes severe muscle spasms and can be fatal. Pertussis is a bacterial infection that causes severe coughing fits and can be fatal, particularly in infants. The DTaP vaccine is recommended for all children at two, four, six, and 15 to 18 months of age, and again at four to six years of age.
Subtitle: Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccine (MMR)
The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is a combination vaccine that protects against three serious diseases. Measles is a viral infection that can cause a rash and fever, and can be fatal in severe cases. Mumps is a viral infection that causes swelling of the glands and can lead to serious complications, such as deafness and meningitis. Rubella is a viral infection that can cause a rash and fever, and can lead to birth defects if a pregnant woman is infected. The MMR vaccine is recommended for all children at 12 to 15 months of age, and again at four to six years of age.
Subtitle: Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV)
The inactivated poliovirus (IPV) vaccine is used to protect against polio, a viral infection that can cause paralysis and can be fatal in severe cases. The IPV vaccine is recommended for all children at two, four, and six to 18 months of age, and again at four to six years of age.
Subtitle: Hepatitis B Vaccine
The hepatitis B vaccine is used to protect against hepatitis B, a viral infection that can cause liver damage and can be fatal. The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all newborns and for all children at one to two months of age, four to six months of age, and six to 18 months of age.
Subtitle: Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine
The varicella (chickenpox) vaccine is used to protect against chickenpox, a viral infection that causes a rash and can be fatal in severe cases. The varicella vaccine is recommended for all children at 12 to 15 months of age, and again at four to six years of age.