Immunisation – Medpods Medical
Immunisation is when somebody’s immune system learns to fight an infection, via the administering of a vaccine.
The vaccine contains a dead or inactive microbes of the disease. The introduction of these to the body in turn stimulates the immune system to respond protect the body from the microbes. Then if in the future, the immune system comes into contact with the vaccinated disease, the response will be more efficient as it has already had contact with the disease. So by treating people with a vaccine, immunity can be improved against a disease.
In addition, if the majority of the population are vaccinated for selective diseases, then ‘Herd Immunity’ offers even more protection, by making it more difficult for the diseases immunised against to be spread. This is especially important for the minority of people that may not be able to be vaccinated due to sickness, pregnancy or those with a weak immune system.
Immunisation for children, protects them while their immune system is still developing. The following are a list of diseases that they can be immunised against for free as part of the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for children aged 4 years or under:
- chickenpox (varicella)
- diphtheria
- flu (influenza)
- hepatitis B
- Hib
- measles
- meningococcal AWCY
- mumps
- pneumococcal
- polio
- rotavirus
- rubella
- tetanus
- whooping cough (pertussis)
Immunisation against vaccine-preventable diseases can be provided at Medpods Medical Centre.
Any missed vaccinations are available for children aged 5 to 9 years of age and catch up recommend vaccines are free for those aged 10to 19 years old. Just check the NIP schedule or ask your GP if you are unsure if your child has had all of the recommend immunisations.
