Many people have probably heard about vaccinations. Or some people call it vaccination. Including having received the vaccine as a child before. But as I grew up, I often wondered. In the age and congenital disease that we have What should be injected? For those traveling abroad Do I need to inject anything to protect it? Let’s find the answer in the column. “Health Friday” Why should we get vaccinated? “Vaccine” is a type of substance that has already been injected. The body creates immunity to disease according to the type of vaccine we inject. To prevent the disease Or if exposed to the disease, the symptoms will be mild. or have side effects from that disease As many people as there are people who have never been vaccinated against disease, how many types of vaccines are there? Vaccines are divided into several types. In the past, they were often known as It is a live virus and a dead virus. “Live vaccine” means taking live germs and making them weaker. until the disease does not occur But only the immune system will be stimulated to cause protection. In this case, it is not suitable for people with low immunity. Because it can cause disease. Another type is “inactivated vaccine”, which uses germs or components of non-living bacteria. to come inject to stimulate But nowadays there are many new technologies that allow for the development of vaccines more quickly and with more types, such as the COVID-19 vaccine. There has been a huge outbreak over the past several years until the present. This has led to the emergence of mRNA (mRNA) vaccines that use parts of the genetic material in the virus. What vaccines should be injected for disease prevention in adults and the elderly (18 years onwards) according to the World Health Organization’s principles? and the Infectious Diseases Association of Thailand 2023 has recommendations for each vaccine. Divided into standard vaccines, they can be classified according to age. Specific vaccines for people with chronic diseases And there is also a vaccine for travelers. Let me give you an example of a vaccine that is frequently injected. The injection can be summarized as follows:• Influenza vaccine is given every year, 1 shot per year. • Pneumococcal vaccine. Currently (April 2024) in Thailand there are 13, 15, and 23 strains, and there will soon be 20 strains. In general, it is recommended to inject 13. or 15 strains, 1 injection, followed by 23 strains, or 20 strains, 1 injection. • Dengue fever vaccine. Currently (April 2024) in Thailand, there are 2 types: 1. Dengue fever vaccine whose core is the dengue vaccine. (The core is dengue fever.) Recommended: 2 injections for ages 4-60 years. It is not necessary to know the history. or has been confirmed to have had dengue fever before 2. Dengue fever vaccine, which has the core of yellow fever vaccine, recommends 3 injections for ages 6-45 years, with knowledge of the history. or confirmed to have had dengue fever before • HPV virus or prevention of cervical/reproductive organ cancer Recommended not more than 26 years of age, or if older than that, let the doctor consider on a case-by-case basis. • Hepatitis A vaccine, 2 injections, considering immunity testing first.• Hepatitis B vaccine, 3 injections, considering immunity testing first.• Tetanus vaccine Diphtheria and pertussis are most commonly acquired during childhood. The tetanus and diphtheria vaccine should be boosted every 10 years. • Chickenpox vaccine: 2 injections if you haven’t had it yet. or never was Not sure if you’ve ever had this or not? Consider having a blood test to see if you have immunity or not. • There are 2 types of shingles vaccine in Thailand: 1. Live virus type, 1 injection from age 60 years and up. 2. Non-live virus type, 2 injections from age 50 years and up, or in Immunocompromised people Vaccines for people with chronic diseases You can consult with your doctor before injecting. Because there may be specific cases Or other blood values that need to be looked at include, for example, HIV patients can receive a live vaccine if they have a CD4 level of more than 200 cells per cubic centimeter. Vaccines for travelers that are not recommended for the general public unless there is a risk of infection, such as rabies vaccine (2 doses), yellow fever vaccine (1 dose), and meningococcal vaccine (1 dose every 5 years), etc., by travelers or those who have travel planning You should receive advice on how to care for yourself. together with receiving medicine or vaccine to prevent disease before traveling as soon as possible if possible Because some vaccines require multiple injections to be effective. Or in some countries, if you do not have a vaccination book confirming that you have received the vaccine, you will not be able to enter the country, such as the yellow fever vaccine. As a key requirement in many African countries, disease prevention through vaccination is important. In order to prevent disease Or if disease occurs, it will not be very dangerous. Because there is an immune system that recognizes that disease. It comes first from the vaccine itself. which is considered worthwhile both economically and socially If you have a congenital disease and are not sure if there are any vaccines that still need additional injections If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a vaccine or are worried about getting vaccinated You should consult your doctor and medical personnel. To find ways to prevent disease Or give confidence in getting vaccinated@@@@@@@@Source information A. Dr. Rapeepan Rattanawongnara, M.D., Department of Infectious Diseases Department of Internal Medicine Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital Mahidol University
