These vaccinations could save your life

PHOTO | AFP It is not only children who require life-saving jabs.

What you need to know:

  • The Kenya Expanded Programme on Immunisation (KEPI) is the body responsible for ensuring that all children in Kenya receive proper vaccinations
  • There exist other vaccines outside of the KEPI schedule that adults and adolescents can benefit from, although they attract a cost

Most of us are aware of the importance of getting our children vaccinated. In fact, we follow their vaccination schedule almost religiously, then after completing it, we hardly ever take them back to the clinic for regular growth monitoring and check-ups. We think they do not need these. Very few of us consider the importance of vaccines for adolescents and even adults.

The Kenya Expanded Programme on Immunisation (KEPI) is the body responsible for ensuring that all children in Kenya receive proper vaccinations. KEPI has done an excellent job, including expanding the available vaccines to many other killer diseases like pneumonia and rotavirus. However, there exist other vaccines outside of the KEPI schedule that adults and adolescents can benefit from, although they attract a cost.

HPV VACCINE

HPV is the virus responsible for cancer of the cervix and of the penis and is transmitted sexually. The HPV vaccine is relatively new and is useful for persons who are not infected with the HPV, particularly those who have never been sexually active. If you can afford it, get is for your adolescent boys and girls.

RUBELLA VACCINE

Rubella, or German measles, is a viral infection that in most cases goes unnoticed, though if one gets infected during pregnancy, it can have disastrous effects on the baby — it may be born with serious birth defects. All women of childbearing age should receive this vaccine, but not during pregnancy. It comes as a combined MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine.

YELLOW FEVER VACCINE

Yellow fever is a viral infection that causes bleeding from internal organs (haemorrhagic fever) and inflames the liver, causing yellowness of the eyes and skin. It often results in death and is easily spread. Other haemorrhagic fevers include Ebola, Marburg, and dengue fever. Parts of Kenya, especially some parts of the Rift Valley, have quite a few cases, hence KEPI includes this as part of the scheduled vaccines for people from those specific regions. Many countries require that you be vaccinated and show a certificate of vaccination when you travel there.

HEPATITIS B VACCINE

is a virus that infects the liver, causing inflammation, and may in some cases result in chronic liver disease, cancer, or even death. It is transmitted through body fluids during sexual intercourse, injecting drugs, and blood transfusion (if not well screened). KEPI has included it as part of the vaccine schedule and most children born over the past decade or so have received it. However, it is beneficial for adults too to receive it to prevent this important infection. It is particularly important for health care workers who handle blood and other body fluids, medical, laboratory and nursing students.

PNEUMONIA VACCINE

A vaccine to prevent pneumococcal infections is now available and provided to children as part of the KEPI schedule. Adults who may require it include those with an immune-suppressive condition or state such as diabetes, old age (above 65 years), and HIV. Asthmatics are also prone to chest infections, hence they too are advised to receive this vaccine.

FLU VACCINE

Many of us in Africa consider flu vaccines something for Westerners. However, people with low immunity, particularly diabetics and the elderly, will benefit from this vaccine as they are prone to more severe flu episodes. The flu vaccine, however, needs to be repeated every year.

CHICKEN POX VACCINE

This vaccine prevents both chicken pox and shingles (herpes zoster, which usually affects one side of the body, causing a rash and scars) as they are caused by the same organism. It is useful for adults with immune suppressive conditions including HIV and those taking anti-cancer treatment.

Discuss your vaccination options with your doctor and you could benefit from preventive medicine.

The writer is a doctor and public health specialist. Send your questions to [email protected]