{"id":8197,"date":"2023-06-22T09:32:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-22T09:32:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp26.cmswebdeveloper.com\/asian-news\/what-do-you-know-about-vaccinations\/"},"modified":"2023-06-22T09:32:00","modified_gmt":"2023-06-22T09:32:00","slug":"what-do-you-know-about-vaccinations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp26.cmswebdeveloper.com\/asian-news\/what-do-you-know-about-vaccinations\/","title":{"rendered":"What do you know about vaccinations?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Whether you\u2019re planning a trip, attending a family get together or are set on enjoying the great outdoors this summer, we need to talk about vaccinations says Dr Donald Palmer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are vaccines?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Dr Palmer, an Associate Professor of Immunology and ‘Education and Careers Secretary’ of the British Society for Immunology<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA vaccine is something that teaches our immune system to recognise and defend itself against a virus,\u201d says Dr Palmer, an Associate Professor of Immunology and \u2018Education and Careers Secretary\u2019 of the British Society for Immunology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDifferent vaccines help to train your body<\/a> to defend you against different diseases. So, when you come into contact with that disease, your immune system will make the antibodies and cells needed to get rid of the bacteria or viruses causing it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This might mean that you do not catch that disease, or if you do, it\u2019s not as serious because your immune system is more prepared to deal with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do we know vaccines are safe?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Vaccines work in different ways and have different ingredients. Many, including the COVID-19 vaccine, do not contain the live virus. So there\u2019s no risk of catching COVID from them or of passing it on to others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people get a sore arm from the injection, or might feel tired, achy or get a headache, but any side-effects are usually mild and generally don\u2019t last for long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The full list of ingredients in a specific vaccine can be found on the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency website. All vaccines used in the UK have gone through a series of strict tests on thousands of people \u2013 of different ages, gender and heritage \u2013 before they are offered to the general public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr Palmer said another question he is often asked is how the COVID-19 vaccines could be developed so fast compared to many other vaccines. \u201cOwing to the worldwide need for a vaccine, everyone involved in the regulation of medicines came together to deliver the approval process, and same tests, more speedily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe other important factor is that researchers already knew a lot about Coronavirus and how to target it. So, they weren\u2019t starting from scratch and a lot of the information was shared amongst researchers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are vaccines new?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Vaccines have been in use, for centuries. The world\u2019s first vaccine, the smallpox vaccine was introduced in 1796 by British surgeon Edward Jenner, and the last person to naturally catch smallpox was in 1977.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are travel vaccinations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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To be effective, some vaccinations are best taken a few weeks before you travel. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Some countries require proof that you have been vaccinated against specific diseases before you can enter them. For example, some countries require proof that you\u2019ve been vaccinated against yellow fever, especially if you are travelling from a country where there is a risk of getting yellow fever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The GOV.UK<\/a> website has information about entry requirements to different countries. To be effective, some vaccinations are best taken a few weeks before you travel. Also, if you are planning a trip abroad, your GP practice can give advice about any medication you need to take with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What other vaccinations are on offer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In addition to travel vaccines, there might be routine ones you have missed, for example, the vaccine offered to people in their 70s to protect against shingles, or the one against measles, mumps and rubella offered to children and adults. Your GP practice can check if you\u2019re unsure you, your children, or another family member have had all of their routine vaccinations, or to book any you\u2019ve missed. It\u2019s also important to have all the doses you\u2019re offered for the best protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor children\u201d advises Dr Palmer, \u201canother way to check which vaccination they have had, is to read their child health record also known as the red book. A full list of the vaccinations provided by the NHS and when to have them, is also available on the NHS.uk website<\/a>\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is it too late to protect myself against COVID-19?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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No, you have until 30 June 2023 to get the COVID-19 vaccine for yourself or family if you or they have:<\/p>\n\n\n\n