Injections

Halcyon · 30-06-2005, 14:41

I know there are one or two people on the forum in the medical proffesion and wondered if they would mind answering a quick question.

I remember over my years in school and up to about the ago of 16 having immunisations for BCG or whatever its called, and all the other ones you end up being given.
I think the last one I had was the Menengitis one as our school had a case there once so everyone was immunised.

Anyway, I was wondering, is there a date limit that these run till or are they for life. Maybe some of them have to be renewed and if so which ones would they be ?

Or do we go and get boost injections ?

Its just something I was wondering about the other day and thought I would ask.

Thanks for any info you can let me know, Much appreciated,

Halcyon.

Ramrod · 30-06-2005, 14:49

Immunization isnt my area.......Salu?
__________________

.......or you could ask your GP or practice nurse

luftys · 30-06-2005, 14:49

Protective efficacy is a measure of the proportion of people who would have got the disease had they not had the vaccination. 80% protection means that 4 out of 5 individuals are protected. Efficacy for most vaccines exceeds 95%. BCG is therefore a relatively weak protective vaccine

Jules · 30-06-2005, 15:08

I know you have to have your tetanus every 10 years I think but I may be wrong on the time frame

Halcyon · 30-06-2005, 15:09

Yeah I cant remember exactly, but I had quite a few during school and it was normal for everyone to have them till about 16 for Polio, or whatever else.
I'm sure I had alittle book with them written down, but it didnt tell me when they has to be renewed.

Thanks.

Jules · 30-06-2005, 15:12

I don't think any of the others have to be renewed but I may be wrong

Damien · 30-06-2005, 15:16

I think i may need a booster for MMR before I go to uni. Had it agggggeeesss ago.

Halcyon · 30-06-2005, 16:00

Yeah thats what I'm thinking about..... it goes back many years so surely they need a boost or something.
I'm not sure.

Salu · 30-06-2005, 16:22

It depends on whether the immunisation is passive or active.

If active then a small amount of the "dead" or weakened organism is given. Antibodies are then produced. If you then come into contact with the real disease at a later date then your body will have the necessary antibodies to fight the infection.

Whether you need boosters or not depends on risk factors, countries visited, your job etc etc.

Are you concerned about a particular one?

If passive then pre made antibodies are given which provide short term protection. This is why you need boosters.

Damien · 30-06-2005, 16:56

Mumps is going around students at the moment....

Halcyon · 30-06-2005, 17:05

Im not really concerned about one in particular, I was just wondering as it had been a while since I had them done in School.

I'm not heading anywhere remote in the world so I dont think I need any special ones. I just wondered how long the ones we were given last for.

Thanks for the info Salu. Its good to have a doctor around this place.

Jarandco · 30-06-2005, 17:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

Mumps is going around students at the moment....

Yeah, i had a MMR booster injection a few months back! Although some universitys give you a booster when you join them..

Damien · 30-06-2005, 17:56

Yeah but i like my doctor, might as well get it down there without having to wait instead of quesing at UNI when everyone starts. Do I need any immusation for america/mexico?

Jarandco · 30-06-2005, 18:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

Yeah but i like my doctor, might as well get it down there without having to wait instead of quesing at UNI when everyone starts. Do I need any immusation for america/mexico?

Try here for some information, for North America you don't need any immunisation, but for south America i believe you need a few depending on exactly where you go! Although if you stay in built up areas you usually don't need as many!

greencreeper · 30-06-2005, 18:34

I know with Hep B you have to have your Ig levels checked periodically because immunity fades with time. Below a certain threshold you have a booster. I'm due to be checked in about 3 yrs or so. Hep A is for life. Not sure about the others. If you're going to Uni, you will catch something, for sure