Occupational / Child Vaccinations

Vaccination Information: What is chickenpox and what causes it? Chickenpox is a very common illness. It is caused by a virus and most people catch it during their childhood. If you haven’t had chickenpox as a child you can still get it as an adult. Chickenpox is also referred to as varicella, which is the name of the virus that causes it. Once you have had chickenpox, you’re usually immune for life but you could develop shingles at a later point in life. Chickenpox signs and symptoms: Although it’s not usually dangerous, chickenpox can be very unpleasant as it causes…

What is HPV and what causes it? The human papilloma virus HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. The vaccine is routinely offered to girls between the ages of 12 and 13 as part of the NHS vaccination programme and is offered for free to girls from age 12 up to their 18th birthday, but it is also recommended for men and women under the age of 27 in order to help protect them against these diseases. The vaccine protects against the HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58. Types 6 and 11 cause…

What is influenza and what causes it? The flu is a common viral infection. It is an airborne virus that spreads by little droplets, usually by coughs and sneezes. It is particularly common during the winter months and causes unpleasant symptoms, which can last for days. Although the symptoms tend to clear within a week in people who are otherwise healthy, it can cause serious complications in pregnant women, patients over the age of 65, children and people with an impaired immune system. Free flu vaccinations are available for eligible patients aged between 18-65 years; please ask us for more…

These are highly infectious conditions that can have serious or potentially fatal outcomes, such as deafness, meningitis or swelling of the brain (encephalitis). Children have been routinely vaccinated against them since the vaccine was introduced in 1988. Outbreaks don’t happen very often in the UK but it is still important to keep your vaccine status up to date. Due to an increased risk of these diseases, it is advised to don’t travel to the following places without getting vaccinated for MMR: Much of Asia Africa The indian sub-continent South America Saudi Arabia (for Hajj or Umrah for example) – this…

What is Meningitis B and what causes it? Meningococcal meningitis is caused by bacteria easily passed from person to person by coughing, sneezing and intimately kissing. If the bacteria passes into the bloodstream it quickly multiplies and releases toxins that can cause widespread damage to the body. Blood vessels are damaged preventing the vital flow of oxygen to all organs of the body. Damage to the lining of the brain can lead to the infection of the cerebrospinal fluid and the inflammation and pressure around the brain can lead to nerve damage. Meningitis Signs and Symptoms Bacterial meningitis symptoms may…

What is Pneumococcal infection and what causes it? The pneumococcal vaccine protects you against pneumococcal infections, which can be dangerous and potentially fatal. It is sometimes called the ‘pneumo jab’ or the pneumonia vaccine. There are more than 90 different strains of S. pneumoniae, and some are much more likely to cause serious infection (virulent) than others. Some strains can be easily killed by the immune system, while others are resistant and likely to cause a more serious infection. It's important to emphasise that pneumococcal infections are far less contagious than a cold or flu. This is because most people's immune…

What is shingles and what causes it? Shingles is a viral infection of the nerve and surrounding skin, also known as herpes zoster. It is caused by a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. While you will usually only get chickenpox once in your life, the virus that causes it remains in your body. If it becomes active again at a later date, it causes shingles rather than chickenpox. Shingles Signs and symptoms These early symptoms can include a headache, burning, tingling, numbness or itchiness of the skin in the affected area, a feeling of being…