Optional but useful vaccinations?
October 22, 2014 8:24 AM Subscribe
I live in the UK. I've had all the normal vaccinations everyone gets as a kid, etc. I know there are all sorts of interesting vaccinations I can get if I'm travelling. What I'm wondering is - are there any useful "optional" vaccinations that are beneficial for the average UK dweller who isn't going on holiday, that the govt doesn't pay for and push?
Response by poster: Probably should've said in the original ask, but I'm in a vulnerable demographic for the flu jab, and have it booked Friday.
posted by curious_yellow at 8:27 AM on October 22, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by curious_yellow at 8:27 AM on October 22, 2014 [1 favorite]
Chicken pox, if you haven't already had the disease. Also anything introduced to the childhood vaccination schedule in the years since you went through it.
posted by Catseye at 8:42 AM on October 22, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Catseye at 8:42 AM on October 22, 2014 [1 favorite]
HPV, if you're female and fairly young but didn't get the vaccine at school.
posted by emilyw at 8:49 AM on October 22, 2014 [4 favorites]
posted by emilyw at 8:49 AM on October 22, 2014 [4 favorites]
Chicken pox/shingles
Hep B
Hep A (in the US, this is typically only given if you've been exposed or are travelling to a certain region; still good to have, nonetheless)
(there's a combo Hep A/B vaccine called Twinrix)
HPV (also approved for men)
MMR - you had this as a kid most likely, but it's now recommended for a number of adults to get a booster
TDP booster
Meningitis (meningococcal) - you may have had this if you went to university
posted by melissasaurus at 9:05 AM on October 22, 2014
Hep B
Hep A (in the US, this is typically only given if you've been exposed or are travelling to a certain region; still good to have, nonetheless)
(there's a combo Hep A/B vaccine called Twinrix)
HPV (also approved for men)
MMR - you had this as a kid most likely, but it's now recommended for a number of adults to get a booster
TDP booster
Meningitis (meningococcal) - you may have had this if you went to university
posted by melissasaurus at 9:05 AM on October 22, 2014
Anti-recommendation:
Up til a couple years ago, a cholera vaccination was found to have a partial, short term effect against travelers diarrhea (about 2/3 reduction), unfortunately, according to a review, that vaccination is no longer available, and "There is currently insufficient evidence from RCTs to support the use of the oral cholera vaccine Dukoral® for protecting travellers against ETEC diarrhoea."
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23828581
On the other hand, it hasn't been completely ruled out either. Might be worth it for short term use? 'More study needed' etc.
As it was only ever protective for about 3 months, it wouldn't be useful.
posted by Elysum at 6:53 PM on October 22, 2014
Up til a couple years ago, a cholera vaccination was found to have a partial, short term effect against travelers diarrhea (about 2/3 reduction), unfortunately, according to a review, that vaccination is no longer available, and "There is currently insufficient evidence from RCTs to support the use of the oral cholera vaccine Dukoral® for protecting travellers against ETEC diarrhoea."
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23828581
On the other hand, it hasn't been completely ruled out either. Might be worth it for short term use? 'More study needed' etc.
As it was only ever protective for about 3 months, it wouldn't be useful.
posted by Elysum at 6:53 PM on October 22, 2014
Just to be clear: there are multiple strains of meningitis and there can be multiple vaccinations. Over a decade ago, there was a mass program to vaccinate UK school children against meningitis C.
The NHS has a good guide to meningitis vaccinations.
posted by troytroy at 8:03 PM on October 22, 2014
The NHS has a good guide to meningitis vaccinations.
posted by troytroy at 8:03 PM on October 22, 2014
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posted by EndsOfInvention at 8:25 AM on October 22, 2014