Everybody’s talking about vaccines these days, and for good reason. They’ve only been saving people from horrible illnesses for centuries. Illnesses like tetanus and polio. In today’s post, we will be talking about 11 vaccines you should know about. Besides polio and smallpox, what other vaccines are available? From Pertussis to the Haemophilus Influenzae vaccine, we will be discussing all of these and more..
#1 Smallpox Vaccine
Did you know that smallpox is one of the deadliest diseases in the history of mankind? This alone was responsible for more than 300 million deaths in the 20th Century. Historically, 3 out of 10 people who got the illness died from it. This continued until an English Doctor named Edward Jenner invented the vaccine. In 1959, WHO initiated a program to get rid of Smallpox forever. The last reported case of active smallpox was in Bangladesh. A person named Janet Parker was the last person to die from it in 1978. In 1980, the World saw a smallpox-free world. It’s still considered one of the biggest achievements in the history of medicine. The illness most commonly confused with smallpox is chickenpox. There is a vaccine available for that too, though it hasn’t disappeared yet. Did you ever get chickenpox? Sound off in the comment section and share your experiences with the HMTB community.
#2 Anti-Rabies Vaccine
Nine-year-old Joseph Meister was severely bitten by a rabid dog. His mother brought him to the renowned French biologist Louis Pasteur. He successfully prevented the boy from getting rabies by giving him the post-exposure vaccine. It was a bit controversial, as the concept of injecting a human with weakened disease agents was still in the early stages. But the boy survived and never got rabies. This was the first successful case of an anti-rabies vaccine.
Rabies is a dreadful disease transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. Its symptoms include headache, fever, and excessive salivation. All of this then further worsens into muscle spasms, mental confusion, and paralysis. More than 60,000 people worldwide die from this every year. Rabies is a very painful way to die. The most horrible part is that it’s always fatal. There is no escaping it. Experts who have cared for rabies patients report symptoms like aggression, light sensitivity, and anxiety. It severely affects the patient’s mental health as well as causing delirium, hallucinations, and extreme fear. The only way to prevent rabies is through a vaccine. As soon as an animal bites you, you need to consult a doctor for the necessary treatment. Once you get the first symptoms of rabies, there is no way to cure or heal you. Prevention is the only way out. An unvaccinated person will be given four doses of vaccines intramuscularly.
#3 Tetanus Vaccine
Popularly known as TT, the tetanus vaccine is used to prevent tetanus. Normally, five doses are given in childhood whereas the sixth one is given during adolescence. Booster doses are given to maintain immunity for years. TT vaccine is a combination of a few other vaccines such as diphtheria, tetanus, etc. The TT vaccine was developed in 1924 and was very helpful to the soldiers of World War II. Statistically, it reduced tetanus cases by 95%. This particular vaccine has made it to WHO’s ‘list of essential medicines.’
#4 Diphtheria Vaccine
Another deadly disease is caused by bacteria. The bacteria releases a powerful toxin causing damage to tissues. Initially, the symptoms range from the common cold to a light fever. But after some time, a thick grey substance spreads over the nasal tissues, tonsils, larynx, and more. It is the most dominant feature of diphtheria and it is formed by waste products and proteins released by bacteria. It sticks to tissues and may obstruct breathing. Diphtheria vaccines are given as a combination shot with tetanus and pertussis vaccine. In 1974, Diphtheria vaccination was included in WHO’s list of recommended immunizations for developing countries.
#5 Polio
This is caused by Poliovirus, which spreads quickly and can cause permanent disability through infecting the spinal cord. It is usually transmitted through contaminated food, water, or an infected person. In most cases, this disease does not have any visible symptoms. This is preventable with a vaccine. Other forms of treatment include bed rest, pain relievers, and portable ventilators. The first polio vaccine was developed in the 1950s by Jonas Salk. It was soon followed by an oral dose, which has now become customary. Polio has been eradicated in several parts of the world.
#6 Mumps
Mumps is found worldwide. It’s a human disease that either spreads through the air or direct contact with the saliva of the infected person. It’s highly contagious. It mainly occurs during late winter and spring. In the US alone, an estimated 212,000 cases occurred in 1964. After the invention of the mumps vaccine in the year 1967, it rapidly decreased.
Mumps vaccine is available in combination with vaccines for rubella and measles. Before we move ahead, here is a post you might like. Read and learn 22 Healthy Habits to Make Your Immune System To The Next Level.
#7 Hepatitis B
This is a liver disease. One with shorter duration and mild symptoms is known as the Acute hepatitis B infection. The other one with long-term issues including damage to the liver, liver cancer, and more, is Chronic Hepatitis-B. It is often spread with body fluids such as blood and sweat of the infected person. Most people vaccinated with the hepatitis B vaccine are immune for life. It was discovered in 1965. Since it helps to prevent liver cancer, it is also the first anti-cancer vaccine.
#8 Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is very similar to B. It is also a serious liver disease caused by a virus. This virus spreads through the feces of infected people. Hepatitis A mainly occurs in people above 50 years of age, who are already experiencing liver diseases like hepatitis B or C. The vaccines for hepatitis A were recommended in the US around 1996. The wide usage of the vaccine showed a steep decrease in the number of cases since then.
#9 Rubella
Rubella is another contagious disease caused by a virus. It is also known as German Measles and was very common among young kids. The common symptoms of rubella include light fever, sore throat, rash on the face, and more. Between the years 1964 & 1965, rubella wreaked havoc on the US with an estimated 12.5 million cases. Thanks to the numerous campaigns and vaccination drives, rubella was finally gone from the US around 2004. Rubella shots are given as triple-antigens known as the MMR vaccine. MMR stands for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella. It is a very safe and effective vaccination. Even a single dose is found to be 97% effective.
#10 Haemophilus Influenzae
Commonly known as Hib, this one is caused by a bacteria leading to severe infections. It is normally spread through the air by respiratory droplets from sick individuals. Before the invention of the Hib vaccine, this deadly disease claimed the lives of many young children every year in the US. Vaccination against Hib disease is a compulsory requirement by the US child immunization schedule. Globally, 98% of WHO countries have included this vaccine in their immunization program.
#11 Pertussis Vaccine
Another treatment for a dreaded illness. Also known as whooping cough, it’s caused by a type of bacteria that gets started as a minor cold. In some cases, it lasted up to ten weeks and people were reported to die of broken ribs and loss of control of bladder due to severe coughing. Honestly, it sounds like a nightmare! Worldwide, more than 2,00,000 children catch whooping cough every year. The cases have decreased significantly after the introduction of vaccines. DTap vaccine protects young children from diphtheria, whooping cough and protects teens and adults from the same set of diseases.
Did you know about all of these vaccines before reading this post? Did you get all of these? Let us know in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you!
The information I provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. You should never use content in my writing as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or another qualified clinician. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if indicated for medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. I am not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information in this blog. Thank you.