Recommended vaccinations – is it worth it?

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Is it worth carrying out the recommended vaccinations? This question is asked by parents who are faced with the decision to arrange a child’s vaccination schedule. In most cases, compulsory vaccinations do not raise any objections, but there is still a discussion about the recommended vaccinations. Are the recommended vaccines safe and effective? Is it worth doing them?

Compulsory vaccinations – what do you need to get vaccinated for?

Every year, the Protective Vaccination Program is made available, which includes a list and calendar of compulsory and recommended vaccinations. The published calendar contains information about which diseases both children and adults should be vaccinated against. Additionally, you can find vaccination schedules for children and adults. particularly vulnerable to infection.

The annual vaccination schedule specifies the dates and intervals between vaccinations, the types of vaccines available and the method of administration. In Poland, recommendations for the implementation of vaccinations are prepared by the Pediatric Team of Experts for the Protective Vaccination Program at the Minister of Health and the Sanitary and Epidemiological Council at the Chief Sanitary Inspector.

Both compulsory and recommended vaccinations fulfill two main functions. First, they provide the highest possible protection against contracting infectious diseases. Their second goal, on the other hand, is the elimination of specific infectious diseases in society. Compulsory vaccinations are free, and their list includes vaccines against:

1. tuberculosis;
2. pneumococcal infections;
3. diphtheria;
4. whooping cough;
5. polio;
6. measles;
7. mumps;
8. rubella;
9. tetanus;
10. hepatitis B;
11. infections against Haemophilus influenzae type B;
12. in the case of people from high-risk groups, vaccinations against chicken pox and rabies are also performed.

Compulsory vaccinations in Poland apply to children and adolescents up to 19 years of age. On the other hand, the high-risk group includes students of medical and veterinary faculties, as well as health care and veterinary services employees.

The most important information on compulsory vaccinations can be found here: Compulsory vaccinations – everything you need to know

What are recommended vaccinations?

Recommended vaccinations are vaccines that are used to extend the protection of a child’s health. Vaccinations are recommended for a fee and can be purchased at a pharmacy with a prescription. There are many recommended vaccines on the market and it is often difficult for parents to decide which one is right for them.

Accordingly, many specialists advise choosing a vaccine in which there are more ingredients. Such vaccines are called combination vaccines. Recommended vaccinations, specified by the Ministry of Health, include vaccines against:

1. chicken pox;
2. tick-borne encephalitis;
3. hepatitis A (hepatitis A);
4. flu;
5. rotavirus infections;
6. meningococcal infections.

If you want to know more about vaccinations in Poland, check: Vaccinations in Poland – mandatory and recommended

Varicella vaccination – is it worth it?

Chickenpox is an infectious disease caused by the varicella zoster virus. The virus that causes chickenpox is very contagious, and the most common disease is in preschool and school-age children. Chickenpox is very common and it is difficult to avoid getting sick. The best way to avoid getting infected is to have the chickenpox immunization.

There is one vaccine against chickenpox available in Poland. It contains the live viruses of the disease, but they are so weakened and modified that there is no risk of making the baby sick. A 4-in-1 combination vaccine is also available in pharmacies, which contains ingredients that protect against measles, mumps, rubella and just chickenpox. Varicella vaccination is worthwhile because it is effective, safe and well tolerated. Over 95% of children vaccinated against chickenpox will not develop the disease, and practically 100% will avoid severe chickenpox.

The administration of the varicella vaccine reduces the risk of shingles many times over. Vaccination against chickenpox is recommended to anyone who has never had chickenpox and has never been vaccinated against it before. It is worth mentioning that although varicella vaccination is a recommended vaccine, in the case of children from a high risk group, it is mandatory vaccination.

Tick-borne encephalitis vaccination – is it worth it?

Vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis belongs to the group of recommended vaccines, but they should be especially remembered by nature lovers and people who often spend time outdoors. The following are the people who should decide to have TBE vaccination:

1. forest workers;
2. military at training grounds;
3. tourists who prefer hiking;
4. colonists, especially children and adolescents under the age of 18;
5. travelers who spend time in areas endemic to TBE.

Two manufacturers’ vaccines are available on the medical market. The offer includes doses for children and adults. It is worth getting vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis, because it is difficult to protect yourself against tick bites and it is impossible to predict whether a given tick transmits the virus.

The vaccine is currently the only possible and effective way to protect against this disease and its severe complications. It is worth mentioning that in order to maintain the effectiveness of the vaccine, you should take 3 doses of the primary vaccination and a booster dose, on average every 3-5 years.

Hepatitis A vaccination – is it worth getting it?

Hepatitis A is commonly called food jaundice. It is an acute infectious disease that develops in the body as a result of the liver being damaged by the hepatitis A virus. In some patients, the disease causes serious complications, such as cholestasis in the liver and acute liver failure.

Vaccination against hepatitis A should be done if there is an increased risk of exposure to the virus. This applies to children who stay in larger communities, such as hospitals, nurseries, kindergartens and schools. Currently, due to the significant improvement in hygienic and sanitary conditions, this infectious disease is rarely diagnosed. The risk of infection increases, however, if you plan to travel to countries where hepatitis A is common, these are the countries of Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean Basin. These areas also include the countries of Africa, Asia, and Central and South America.

Vaccines available in Poland belong to non-live vaccines and contain an inactive virus. Vaccines are safe, effective and well tolerated. However, it is worth mentioning that the risk of contracting this disease can be significantly reduced by taking care of hand hygiene and eating food from a proven source.

You can find out more about the hepatitis A vaccination here: Jaundice vaccinations – what do you need to know?

Flu vaccination – is it worth getting it?

Flu vaccinations are recommended annually by the World Health Organization. They can be given to both children and adults. The indication for vaccination against influenza is a high risk of influenza complications. The high-risk group includes chronically ill people who struggle with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, respiratory diseases, kidney failure or anemia.

After vaccination, immunity lasts for 6-12 months, so it is a seasonal vaccine that must be taken every year. Studies have shown that flu vaccines are effective in preventing illness in approximately 90% of healthy adults. The flu vaccine should be performed especially when its course has been severe so far or if it is at a higher risk of complications from influenza.

You can find out more about the flu vaccine here: Are flu vaccines safe

Rotavirus vaccination – is it worth it?

Rotaviruses are circular viruses that are responsible for an infectious disease with severe diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and general weakness. The most severe symptoms of this disease concern children up to 5 years of age. In fact, most of the more severe diarrhea during this period is the result of a rotavirus infection. There is a high risk that a child not vaccinated against rotavirus will become ill.

Rotaviruses are common all over the world and practically all children under the age of 5 have contact with it, especially if they have been in hospital or attend a nursery or kindergarten. Vaccination is the most effective method of preventing rotavirus diarrhea.

Your baby may only be immunized between 6 and 12 weeks of age. Rotavirus vaccines are sweet, so children like to take them and usually don’t whine. The vaccine is effective, safe and well tolerated by the child. The high level of protection lasts for at least 3 years after vaccination, which is the time when you are at greatest risk of developing rotavirus diarrhea.

What should you know about rotaviruses? Check: Rotaviruses in children and adults – symptoms, treatment, vaccination

Meningococcal vaccination – is it worth it?

Meningococci are bacteria that cause severe invasive meningococcal disease. The most common symptoms are meningococcal sepsis or meningococcal meningitis. The risk of a child falling ill increases with contact with an asymptomatic carrier of meningococcus, and is much less infected from an ill person. Infection is spread through direct contact, such as by kissing, licking a pacifier or sharing drinking and eating utensils.

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent meningococcal disease. Meningococcal vaccines are effective at stimulating the immune system, they are safe and the risk of serious reactions is low. It is best to start the meningococcal vaccination when a child is 1 or 2 years old.

As you age, your risk of developing meningococcal disease decreases, but you can still get it. Unfortunately, in older children, the incidence of meningococcal disease is associated with mortality, which exceeds 30% of cases. This vaccine can be given at the same time as most other vaccines.

You can find out more about the meningococcal vaccination here: Meningococcal vaccine – dates, complications and price of vaccinations

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