Other vaccines

Varicella vaccine
Why the vaccine is important: Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by varicella zoster virus (VZV). It starts from fever, macula, papules, herpes and groups of scabs, and may lead to death in severe cases. Vaccination with varicella vaccines is the safest and most effective way to prevent chickenpox. At present, varicella vaccines are included in the immunization program in regions like Shanghai, and children of appropriate age can get vaccinated at no charge.

Who needs the vaccine: Adults and adolescents without a history of chickenpox are advised to get vaccinated. The susceptible population is mainly healthy children aged 12 months to 12 years. In addition, kindergarten faculty, primary school teachers, and medical workers are also recommended to receive vaccination.

How to get vaccinated: Children are usually vaccinated against varicella after their first year of age, and a second dose is recommended after they reach the age of four in some regions in China. Specific vaccination standards are based on the professional requirements of local vaccination centers.

Pneumococcal vaccine

Why the vaccine is important: Pneumococcus is one of the major causes of death worldwide. It is also an important pathogen of invasive and non-invasive infections such as pneumonia, meningitis, otitis media and bacteremia. Pneumococcus often parasitizes in the nasopharynx of healthy people. About 40-70 percent of people carry the bacteria. When the body's immune function weakens, the bacteria will invade the lung and cause pneumonia. Vaccination against pneumonia can effectively prevent most of the diseases caused by streptococcus pneumoniae.

Who needs the vaccine: The World Health Organization recommends that people aged over 60, vulnerable children aged over two and patients with chronic diseases, including those with chronic heart, brain, lung and kidney diseases, diabetes, cancer and immuno-compromised diseases, should be vaccinated.

Group vaccination should be carried out in specific circumstances, such as boarding schools, nursing homes and crowded places, so as to reduce the spread of streptococcal pneumonia diseases. In most cases, no re-vaccination is required, but people with chronic diseases, such as nephrotic syndrome and renal failure, as well as organ transplant recipients, may be re-vaccinated after five years.

In addition, children under two years old can be vaccinated against pneumonia if necessary.

Note: The information about vaccines in this article is for reference only. Vaccine selection and vaccination should follow the guidance of professional physicians.