This week is World Immunisation Week with The World Health Organisation (WHO) focusing on “Closing the Immunisation Gap – Immunisation for all throughout life”. Let's close the gap for the seasonal flu vaccine, the pneumococcal vaccine and the pertussis (whopping cough) vaccine in Australia.
Did you know?
In the past 150 years, the 4 most important developments in medicine were vaccinations, sanitation, antibiotics and anaesthesia. In fact, vaccinations would receive the gold star for saving the most number of lives and being the most cost-effective health intervention.
Seasonal Flu
Influenza is an infectious viral disease which can lead to complications such as pneumonia.
Pneumococcal Disease
Pneumococcal disease is an infections bacterial disease. The most common form in adults is pneumococcal pneumonia. Other forms include meningitis and septicaemia.
Pertussis
Pertussis (whooping cough) is caused by a bacterial infection. In unvaccinated individuals, it can be highly infectious and is associated with significant morbidity in adults, with the cough persisting for up to 3 months.
Benefits of Vaccinations
- Direct benefit to the vaccinated individual
- Protection for unvaccinated people included children too young to receive vaccinations, those unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons and those whom vaccination has not been fully effective. This is known as herd immunity
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Infographic: World Immunisation Week 2016[/caption]
Speak to a pharmacist at Pharmacy4Less to find out more about the seasonal flu vaccination, pneumococcal vaccination and whooping cough vaccine.
Find your nearest Pharmacy4Less
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_nyG2TUDcQ[/embed]
You might be interested in:
World Health Organisation
Australian Government Department of Health Immunise Australia Program
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare