How Vaccines Work

Vaccines work by injecting a harmless part of a virus or bacteria into our bloodstream.  Because it’s harmless, we don’t get ill, but the vaccine forces our immune system to make millions of antibodies, which are tiny chemical weapons that kill the microbe.  These antibodies stay around and patrol our bloodstream.  So when the real virus or bacteria comes along, we are already immune meaning we are already protected against it. For most diseases, you need 2 or 3 shots to get full protection. Vaccines can be harmless parts of the microbe or live microbes that have been changed to be harmless.  Most vaccines only work for one disease (like flu, hepatitis or meningitis) but some vaccines work for two or three diseases (like the MMR vaccine which protects against measles, mumps and rubella).

Boosters

After 5 to 10 years, the protection from vaccines may run out, so a booster shot is needed for some diseases. The booster makes the immune system work harder to produce more antibodies to keep you safe.  The most important boosters are the ones for tetanus, diphtheria and polio which you should have every 5 to 10 years.

What Shots Should I Have?

Having your immunisations is one of the most important ways you can protect yourself and stay healthy.  Vaccines can prevent most of the common childhood diseases (like measles and mumps) and can also prevent rare but very serious conditions like tetanus, meningitis and hepatitis.  In most countries, children have many vaccines as a baby, some boosters before starting school, and then another lot of vaccines when they become teenagers. 

Baby -

Tetanus -        You get tetanus (lockjaw) from bites and cuts. You need a booster every 5 to 10 years.

Diphtheria -    Diphtheria was one of the biggest killers of babies before immunisation wiped it out.

Pertussis -       Pertussis (whooping cough) is easily prevented by immunisation.

Polio -              Polio causes paralysis of the muscles.  Polio boosters are needed every 10 years.

Hib -                Hib is a dangerous form of meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain) in children.

Meningitis C - This vaccine prevents one of the most serious forms of meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain).

BCG for

Tuberculosis - In many countries, the BCG vaccine is given to babies to prevent tuberculosis.

Hepatitis -       Vaccines for Hepatitis B are used in some countries.

Toddler -

Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis booster

Measles, mumps,

Rubella -          The MMR vaccine prevents 3 of the most common childhood infections: measles, mumps and rubella (German measles)        

Chickenpox-   The new chickenpox vaccine is used in some countries to prevent chickenpox.  

Influenza -       Flu shots are recommended for any children with asthma.

Starting School -

            Tetanus and diphtheria, booster

Teenager -

MMR booster

BCG -             BCG is given to teenagers if they did not get it as children.

Meningitis C- Meningitis C vaccine is given to teenagers if they did not get it as

children.

Influenza -       Having your flu shots every year can prevent influenza.