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Recommended Vaccines @
USM
Influenza
vaccine or
"flu shot", provides protection from the virus that causes influenza.
Flu signs and symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, headache, chills,
& muscle aches. The flu causes thousands of death each year, mainly in the
elderly. Flu vaccine is updated each year to provide protection for the most
prevalent strains. Immunity develops 2 weeks after the shot and lasts up to a
year. A flu shot is recommended for those living in residence halls, crowded
conditions, health care providers, persons with chronic illnesses, and those who
want to reduce the risk of getting the flu or if they do catch the flu getting a
milder case than those who did not receive the shot. If you have an allergy to
eggs or influenza vaccine or a history of Guillain-Barre' Syndrome you will have
to consult with a UHS provider prior to you flu shot. The viruses in the vaccine
have been killed so you cannot get the flu from the
vaccine. Available at
UHS
Varicella
vaccine or chickenpox vaccine
provides protection from the virus which causes a mild childhood illness.
Chickenpox can be serious in adults, about 100 deaths occur each year as a
result of chickenpox. Symptoms of chickenpox include rash, itching, fever,
fatigue, which can lead to severe skin infections, scars, pneumonia, brain
damage and even death. People who have had chickenpox can get a painful rash
later in life commonly known as shingles. Chickenpox vaccine is recommended for
those who have not had chickenpox, & if the vaccine is given after age 13, 2
doses are recommended. You should not get this vaccine if you have had a
life-threatening allergic reaction to gelatin, neomycin, or a previous dose of
varicella vaccine. You should not get the vaccine if you are moderately ill at
the time of the injection, pregnant & should not get pregnant for one month
after receiving the vaccine. You should consult with a health care provider
before getting the vaccine if you have HIV/AIDS or any other disease that
affects the immune system, are being treated with medications or undergoing a
treatment with impacts your immune system such as steroids for 2 weeks or more,
have any kind of cancer, or are having radiation therapy. Mild reactions include
soreness or swelling at the injection site, fever, mild rash which can occur for
up to one month after the vaccine is given. Moderate reactions can include
seizures and severe reactions may include pneumonia, brain reactions, &
anemia. Not available
at UHS
Meningitis
vaccine or menomune® provides
protection for meningitis caused by bacteria which is the leading cause of
bacterial meningitis in people 2-18 years. Meningitis is an infection in the
brain and spinal cord coverings & can also cause blood infections & 1
out of 10 who get the disease die from it. People who live in crowed conditions
such as resident halls have a slightly increased risk of getting meningitis if
there is an outbreak. Meningococcal vaccine can prevent 2 of the 3 types of
meningitis in children and adults. People should get the vaccine if they are
entering the military, live in crowded conditions such as residence halls, those
traveling to areas where meningococcal infections is common, anyone with a
damaged or whose spleen has been removed, or an immune system disorder. You
should not get the vaccine if you have had a serious reaction to the vaccine. If
you have a cold you can still get the immunization, but you feel more serious
ill you should wait to get the vaccine until you feel better. You can get this
vaccine if you are pregnant. Mild reactions to the vaccine include mild redness
or pain at the injection site, & fever, that last 2-3 days. As with any
immunization serious reactions can occur & include serious allergic reaction
and even death, but the risk associated with the vaccine are far less that
getting meningitis. Available
at UHS
Hepatitis A
vaccine provides protection against
the virus that causes Hepatitis A, a serious liver disease. Hepatitis A virus is
found in the feces or stool of an infected person and is spread through sexual
contact, close personal contact, or consuming food or water contaminated with
the hepatitis A virus. Symptoms of Hepatitis A include mild flu-like symptoms,
jaundice or yellowing of the skin & eyes, & severe stomach pain and
diarrhea. Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for those traveling to countries
with high rates of Hepatitis A infection such as Mexico, Central & South
America, Caribbean Islands, Africa, Asia, Africa, and southern or eastern
Europe. The vaccine is also recommended for people who live in communities where
there are prolonged outbreaks of hepatitis A, such as Native American, Alaska
Native, and Pacific Islander populations. Men and women who engage in anal sex,
use IV drugs, have chronic liver disease, or receive clotting factor
concentrates should be immunized. Hepatitis A vaccine is given in 2 doses, 6
months apart & hepatitis vaccine is available as a single vaccine or as part
of a combination vaccine when mixed with hepatitis B vaccine. People who have
had a serious reaction to Hepatitis A vaccine, are moderately ill, or are
pregnant should not receive the vaccine. Mild reactions to the Hepatitis A
vaccine include redness or pain at the injection site, headache, loss of
appetite and fatigue which can begin 3-5 days after the vaccination and last 1-2
days. Available at
UHS
Hepatitis B
vaccine provides
protection against the virus that causes Hepatitis B, which is a short-term
illness that may cause chronic liver disease and even death. Hepatitis B is
spread by contact with blood and body fluids of an infected person by having
unprotected sex, sharing needles in IV drug use, needle sticks on the job,
during birth when the virus passes from mother to baby. More that 1/3 of people
infected with Hepatitis B do not know where they got it. Symptoms of acute
hepatitis B include loss of appetite, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, jaundice,
pain in muscles, joints, & stomach. Chronic hepatitis may lead to cirrhosis,
live cancer, and death. Each year 80,000 people, mostly young adults are
infected with hepatitis B, of those 11,000 will be hospitalized, and 4,000-5,000
die each year from chronic hepatitis B. Hepatitis B vaccination is now
required by many school districts throughout the country prior to starting
elementary school. Hepatitis vaccine is recommended for everyone 18 years and
younger, at-risk adults, people who have sex with more than 6 partners in a
6-month period, men who have sex with men, IV drug users, health care workers
and students, household contacts of those with hepatitis B, and hemodialysis
patients. You should not get hepatitis B vaccine if you have had a
life-threatening reaction to baker's yeast or a previous hepatitis B
vaccination. If you are moderately ill you should wait to get the vaccine
until you feel better. Mild reactions associated with hepatitis B vaccine
include pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site, & fever. Hepatitis
B vaccine is available as a single vaccine given in a series of three injections
or combined with hepatitis A vaccine as a series of three vaccines.
Available
at UHS
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