Vaccination and immunisation | T&F

Active immunity provides prolonged protection which is derived from the transfer of antibodies from one person to another.

Influenza, pneumococcal and tetanus vaccines are all example of inactivated vaccines.

Inactivated vaccines usually require two or more injections to initiate an adequate immune response in infants.

Live vaccines may safely be administered to immunocompromised patients.

The benefit of combined vaccines is that fewer injections have to be administered, however the protection is less than if the vaccines were given individually.

HPV vaccination has shown 77 per cent reduction in the types of HPV responsible for most cervical cancers.

The composition of the flu vaccine changes every two years.

Pharmacists can only vaccinate against influenza in those aged 18 and over.

The herpes zoster vaccine (Zostavax) is licensed for individuals over 50 years.

The pneumococcal vaccine (Pneumovax), administered by pharmacists, is an example of a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.