| hib immunization | This vaccine is to prevent disease caused by the haemophilus influenzae type b (hib) bacteria. The h. Influenzae (h. Flu) bacteria can cause a range of serious diseases including meningitis with potential brain damage and epiglottitis with airway obstruction poisoning. The hib vaccine is usually given at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. A final booster is given at 12-15 months of age. Hib vaccine rarely causes severe reactions. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| dpt immunization | DPT immunization protects from diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and tetanus and is given in a series of 5 shots at 2, 4, 6, 18 months of age and 4-6 years of age. Thanks to vaccination programs, these diseases have become less common. However, there are still unvaccinated individuals capable of carrying and passing diphtheria and pertussis to others who are not vaccinated. Tetanus bacteria are prevalent in natural surroundings, such as contaminated soil. See also DTaP immunization. (12 Dec 1998) |
| dtap immunization | Like DPT, DTaP protects from diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) and tetanus. DTaP is the same as DTP, except that it contains only acellular pertussis vaccine which is thought to cause fewer of the minor reactions associated with immunization and is also probably less likely to cause the more severe reactions occasionally seen following pertussis vaccination. DTaP is currently recommended only for the shots given at 18 months and 4-6 years of age. (12 Dec 1998) |
| dt immunization | DT (diphtheria and tetanus) vaccine does not protect from pertussis and is usually reserved for individuals who have had a significant adverse reaction to a DPT shot or who have a personal or family history of a seizure disorder or brain disease. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunization | <immunology> A process that increases an organisms reaction to antigen and therefore improves its ability to resist or overcome infection. <technique> A technique used to induce immune resistance to a specific disease in humans (or other mammals) by exposing the individual to an antigen in order to raise antibodies to that antigen. (13 Oct 1997) |
| immunization, anthrax | A series of six shots over six months and booster shots annually, the anthrax vaccine now in use in the usa was first developed in the 1950s and approved by the food and drug administration for general use in 1970. It is produced by the michigan biologic products institute of michigan's department of health and is given routinely to veterinarians and others working with livestock. In december, 1997 it was announced that all us military would receive the vaccine, as do the military in the uk and russia, the reason being concern that anthrax might be used in biologic warfare. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunization, chickenpox | This vaccine prevents the common disease known as chickenpox (varicella zoster). While chickenpox is often considered a trivial illness, it can cause significant lost time on the job and in school and have serious complications including ear infections, pneumonia, and infection of the rash with bacteria, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) leading to difficulty with balance and coordination (cerebellar ataxia), damaged nerves (palsies), and reye's syndrome, a potentially fatal complication. The vaccination requires only one shot given at about a year of age. If an older person has not had chickenpox, the shot may be given at any time. There have been few significant reactions to the chickenpox vaccine. All children, except those with a compromised immune system, should have the vaccination. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunization, children's | In the United States, it is recommended that all children receive vaccination against: hepatitis b diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis haemophilus influenzae type b (hib) poliovirus measles, mumps, rubella varicella zoster virus (chickenpox). Every child in the u.s. Should have these vaccinations except when there are special circumstances and the child's doctor advises specifically against a vaccination. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunization, dpt | DPT immunization protects from diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and tetanus and is given in a series of 5 shots at 2, 4, 6, 18 months of age and 4-6 years of age. Thanks to vaccination programs, these diseases have become less common. However, there are still unvaccinated individuals capable of carrying and passing diphtheria and pertussis to others who are not vaccinated. Tetanus bacteria are prevalent in natural surroundings, such as contaminated soil. See also immunization, dtap. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunization, dt | DT (diphtheria and tetanus) vaccine does not protect from pertussis and is usually reserved for individuals who have had a significant adverse reaction to a dpt shot or who have a personal or family history of a seizure disorder or brain disease. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunization, dtap | Like DPT, DTaP protects from diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) and tetanus. Dtap is the same as dtp, except that it contains only acellular pertussis vaccine which is thought to cause fewer of the minor reactions associated with immunization and is also probably less likely to cause the more severe reactions occasionally seen following pertussis vaccination. Dtap is currently recommended only for the shots given at 18 months and 4-6 years of age. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunization, flu | The flu (influenza) vaccine is recommended for persons at high risk for serious complications from influenza infection, including everyone 65 or over; people with chronic diseases of the heart, lung or kidneys, diabetes, immunosuppression, or severe forms of anaemia; residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities, children and teenagers taking aspirin therapy (and who may therefore be at risk for developing reye syndrome after an influenza infection), and those in close or frequent contact with anyone at high risk. Persons with an allergy to eggs should not receive influenza vaccine. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunization, german measles | See Immunization, MMR. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunization, haemophilus influenzae type b | See immunization, hib. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunization, hepatitis a | When immediate protection against hepatitis a (infectious hepatitis) is needed, immunoglobulins are used. Protection is effective only if given within 2 weeks of exposure and lasts but 2-4 months. Immunoglobulins can be used to protect household contacts of someone with acute viral hepatitis and travelers to regions with poor sanitation and high hepatitis a rates, when the traveler has to depart sooner than the vaccines can take effect (about 2 weeks). Travelers can receive the immunoglobulin and vaccine simultaneously and be protected immediately and for longer term. When immediate protection is not needed, hepatitis a vaccines are considered for individuals in high-risk settings, including frequent world travelers, sexually active individuals with multiple partners, homosexual men, individuals using illicit drugs, employees of daycare centres, and certain health care workers, and sewage workers. Two hepatitis a vaccines called havrix and vaqta are commercially available in the u.s. Both are highly effective and provide protection even after only one dose. Two doses are recommended for adults and 3 doses for children (under 18 years of age) to provide prolonged protection. (12 Dec 1998) |