Let’s start our article with a beautiful motivational quote on International Women’s Day,
“A successful woman is one who can build a firm foundation with the bricks that others have thrown at her“.
On 8th March of every year, we celebrate International Women’s Day for her better future, to support, encourage, educate her, and to bring her out of the darkness and violence she lives in.
Along with all other things health of the woman is also equally important. There are many diseases from which a woman may suffer due to a lack of health awareness, hygiene, and education. Among these diseases, some may also affect her future generation, which means her newborn baby may also be affected by such diseases.
Today, we will discuss 6 vaccines that every woman needs or should be given for her better health. Let’s have a look at it.
Table of Contents
HPV vaccine
When to take: 9 to 45 years of age
The full form of HPV is Human Papillomavirus. This virus is one of the major causes of cervical cancer in women and also causes genital warts.
Incidence of cervical cancer have significantly reduced in United State due to this vaccine. But many countries are still lacking in awareness about the vaccine. This vaccine is effective and safe.
It should be given to all women between the age of 9 years to 45 years. The vaccine requires 2 doses at the interval of 6 months. Those who receive the vaccine after the age of 15 to 26 years, required 3 doses.
After the age of 26 years, the vaccine is not recommended. But women between 26 to 45 years if wish to get the vaccine, should consult their doctor for possible benefits and risks of the vaccine.
Tdap vaccine
When to take: After 10 years
This vaccine provides protection against Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis.
Adults should get this vaccine every 10 years. During every pregnancy, pregnant women should receive a dose of the Tdap vaccine to prevent pertussis to the newborn. Infants are at higher risk for developing severe and life-threatening complications of pertussis.
Pneumococcal vaccine
When to take: After 50 years of age for elders
Pneumonia caused by pneumococcus or Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. It is common to younger children and older over the age of 60. But older people are at higher risk for morbidity and mortality of pneumonia.
The disease can be prevented by two kinds of the vaccine. One is the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or PCV13 which contains 13 strains of the bacteria. And another is the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine or PPSV23 which contains 23 strains or stereotypes of the bacteria. Both vaccines are quite effective.
Please discuss with your doctor for possible side effects and benefits before taking the vaccine.
Influenza vaccine
When to take: Every year, especially in June or July in India and in July or August in United States as recommended by CDC.
Influenza is a seasonal illness and every flu season is different. But different people are affected differently by the disease. Some get minor influenza symptoms, while some need hospitalization and some also die from the disease.
Influenza vaccine protects against the different influenza viruses and the most common vaccine available in the United States is quadrivalent that prevents influenza A (H1N1), influenza A (H3N2), and other two types of influenza B viruses. Please talk to your doctor for details regarding this vaccine.
MMR vaccine
When to take: Based on antibody titer
This vaccine prevents us from Measles, Mumps, and Rubella.
We are vaccinated with the MMR vaccine during our childhood. But the adults who were not vaccinated should take at least one dose of the vaccine.
All the women of childbearing age who are not pregnant and they don’t have any evidence of immunity or antibody titer against these three diseases, should get at least one dose of the vaccine.
Rubella infection in pregnant women is one of the leading causes of fetal death or congenital defects in newborns also called congenital rubella syndrome.
Chickenpox vaccine
When to take: Based on antibody titer
The vaccine name Varivax prevents chickenpox disease which is highly contagious and caused by varicella-zoster virus (VZV).
After the invention of the vaccine, millions of chickenpox cases are presented. All children under the age of 13 years should get 2 doses of the vaccine. The first dose is given between 12 to 15 months and the second at 4 to 6 years of age.
Older people above the age of 13 years who never get chickenpox vaccine or never suffered from the chickenpox disease should receive 2 doses of the vaccine at intervals of 28 days each.
The vaccine should not be given to pregnant women. But she can receive the vaccine after the birth of child. If any woman has received the vaccine, she should not get pregnant for at least 1 month.
Let’s empower and educate the women about vaccination which prevents them from many serious illnesses and secure her health and future generation by vaccination awareness. Please consult your doctor before taking any vaccine to get all the details about risk, side effects, benefits, and all other information.