Hepatitis B (Hep B), Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap), and Influenza (Flu) are commonly recommended for various reasons:
A viral infection that affects the liver and can cause serious liver damage, including liver cancer. Contact with contaminated blood or body fluids can result in the spread of hepatitis B. It is recommended that every child should have the Hepatitis B vaccine, also adults who may be at greater risk due to their employment in the medical field, travel to areas where the disease is common, or certain aspects of their lifestyle, such as unprotected sex or injectable drug use.
Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (whooping cough) are all bacterial diseases against which the Tdap combination vaccine offers protection. Bacteria that grow in airborne particles and waste products may transmit tetanus and can enter our bodies through injuries, cuts, or wounds. A bacterial infection that affects the respiratory system is called diphtheria. Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is highly contagious and causes severe coughs. To prevent these diseases, adolescents and adults are encouraged to be immunized against Tdap, as immunity from childhood vaccines can slowly decline.
The influenza virus is the pathogen leading to the flu, a respiratory illness. It can result in hospitalization, serious sickness, or even death, especially in high-risk populations such as young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with specific underlying health conditions. Each individual every six months of age and older should get the flu vaccine every year to lower their risk of complications from the disease and prevent it from spreading throughout the community.
Based on epidemiological data, risk factors, health prevalence, and public health guidelines, these vaccines are recommended. Getting vaccinated against these diseases protects others from avoidable infections and the costs that go along with them, benefiting both individuals and communities.
These resources listed below provide comprehensive details on each vaccination, addressing areas like suggested treatments, target populations, potential advantages, and relevance. They are reliable and updated frequently to take into consideration the most recent findings in research and guidelines for public health. For further information:
Hepatitis B (Hep B):
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Hepatitis B Vaccination: CDC Hepatitis B Vaccination Information
- World Health Organization (WHO) – Hepatitis B: WHO Hepatitis B Fact Sheet
Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap):
- CDC – Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis Vaccination: CDC Tdap Vaccination Information
- WHO – Diphtheria: WHO Diphtheria Fact Sheet
- CDC – Pertussis (Whooping Cough): CDC Pertussis Information
Influenza (Flu):
- CDC – Seasonal Influenza Vaccination: CDC Flu Vaccination Information
- WHO – Influenza (Seasonal): WHO Influenza Fact Sheet
