The word “Vaccination” has never been so widely used across the world as it is today, and, arguably, for all the wrong reasons. Historically, taken from the Latin “Vaccinus”, which itself is taken from the Latin “Vacca”, meaning cow. This is because the first vaccine, developed by Edward Jenner in 1796, was derived from the cowpox virus to combat the virulence of smallpox in humans.
And now, the word vaccine is almost inevitably, and understandably, associated with the Covid 19 pandemic. The world has come together and undertaken the largest vaccination program ever conducted, with remarkable success. Samitivej Hospital, as you would expect, has been at the forefront of the kingdom’s Thailand Intervac Program.
With the Covid 19 pandemic almost exclusively occupying the headlines, it has become easy to overlook the wider importance of vaccinations. Never before has the proverb, “Prevention is better than cure” been more apt than it is today, and we have a tendency to associate vaccinations with our children.
Why Vaccinate Adults?
We routinely have our offspring vaccinated as a preventative measure to stave off future sickness and disease. All to often, the importance of adult vaccinations is overlooked. There are a number of reasons why adults may require a vaccination, not least because the vaccination received during childhood will lose their immuno-efficiency, to varying degrees, as we get older.
Additionally, vaccinations help prevent adults from contracting and spreading disease. Without appropriate immunizations, we can become plagued by poor health, which may accumulate high medical bills. We may lose valuable work time or leave us unable to care for our dependents.
As we age, we become more vulnerable to sickness and disease, and our body’s ability to fight those ills starts to wane. Notably, the influenza virus can be debilitating and fatal to senior citizens. Although exact figures are difficult to tie down, the World Health Organization estimates that the influenza virus claims the lives of up to 650,000 people a year.
As the world starts to emerge from the Covid 19 pandemic, travel is starting to open up again for both leisure and business purposes. There are many countries that require proof of particular vaccinations in order to facilitate entry. Yellow fever, typhoid, rabies, and hepatitis A vaccinations are common requirements of entry for many countries.
Adult Vaccination at Samitivej Hospital
As we age, we become more susceptible to sickness and disease. Samitivej Hospital, along with The Royal College of Physicians of Thailand, advocates the importance of maintaining the body’s immune system, regular vaccinations are a key factor in achieving the optimum levels of immunity.
With age comes a greater susceptibility to many health issues, such as various forms of respiratory disorders, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and kidney disease. The risk of affliction by these, and many other conditions, can be vastly reduced by being part of an appropriate immunization program.
The Adult Vaccination Center at Samitivej has and continues to provide a comprehensive vaccination program for indigenous Thais, resident foreign nationals, visitors to the kingdom, and those seeking to travel outside Thailand for business and pleasure. The vaccination service provided by Samitivej Hospital is exemplary and internationally recognized.
Samitivej Hospital
It is essential that sound advice is sought prior to undertaking any vaccination. Samitivej Hospital recognizes that the public needs concise information from qualified professionals who can give advice and recommendations based on each individual’s personal circumstances. This individualized approach to healthcare is an integral part of the Vaccination Center’s success.
Elsewise, healthy adults wishing to travel will receive vital advice, not just on the vaccinations an individual must have for entry to their desired destination, but also on disease prevention. This advice stretches from pre-travel personal preparation to post-travel self-care. In addition to necessary vaccinations, an individual may be recommended to take a course of certain anti-viral drugs, anti-malarial drugs being a typical example.
Recognizing that no two individuals are the same, The Adult Vaccine Center has developed a unique computerized system, the “Vaxine Log”. Through this system, clients can obtain personalized advice and recommendations which are tailored to their own needs and lifestyle. Vaxine Log has been created by Samitivej’s IT experts working in conjunction with their professional medical team, resulting in a fast and efficient method for clients to gain accurate and invaluable advice.
In addition to the Vaxine Log, each client will have an E-vaccine book. This means that each individual has at their fingertips a precise record of the vaccinations they have undertaken whilst also keeping them informed of updates and future appointments.
Commonly administered vaccinations
Chicken pox is a common affliction of the young, but there are many youngsters that grow to adulthood, having never had the disease. In such cases, it is vital that an adult has the chicken pox vaccination, as contracting chicken pox as an adult is far more severe than it is for a child.
Measle, mumps, and rubella, or MMR, vaccinations would normally be done during childhood. However, for any number of reasons, there are some children that slip through the net and reach adulthood without having had the MMR vaccination. Any adult in this situation should contact The Adult Vaccine Center for advice on obtaining the vaccination.
Hepatitis A and B vaccinations are routinely undertaken at Samitivej Hospital, as are those for the numerous pneumococcal diseases, which are fairly common. Meningococcal diseases can be fatal, affecting the brain and spinal cord, The Vaccine Center recommends their vaccination program for vulnerable adults in order to minimize the risk of contracting this disease.
Conclusion
Encephalitis affects the brain, usually as a virus, with potentially devastating effects. Adults should take advice on having an encephalitis vaccination from Samitivej’s medical experts. Perhaps more commonly, tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough vaccinations are routine at The Vaccination Center, and all adults should seek advice on the preventative measures they can take.
Typhoid and malaria prevention are areas in which all adults should seek advice and the necessary preventative measures. Vaccination against these two diseases is essential, not just for adults in Thailand but also for travel to many countries across the world. Clients can be confident in the knowledge that the professionals at The Vaccination Center are always armed with the most up-to-date information on vaccine requirements for travelers.
The Adult Vaccination Center is a complete service to all adults. Advice, recommendations, and the administering of vaccinations are carried out by highly trained professionals recognized within their fields of expertise. For prevention is better than cure, The Adult Vaccination Center is the one-stop healthcare destination for all adults.