When a certain percentage of a population has been vaccinated, it prevents an infectious disease from spreading. But that threshold depends on the disease.
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Articles on Vaccination
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Seven to 10 days in bed with a high fever and rash is the best outcome you can expect if your child catches measles. Brain damage or death is the worst.
Many countries in sub-Saharan Africa have made vaccination and post-infection therapy available. But the number of those infected annually and dying from viral Hepatitis continues to be high.
The threat posed by measles is on the rise again in a number of countries in the world. One of them is the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Babies are normally vaccinated against measles at 12 months old. But doctors are now suggesting having the shot as early as six months might be worthwhile for youngsters traveling overseas.
The flu vaccine takes about two weeks to start working and only protects against influenza, so you can still get sick from other viruses after your flu shot.
Nigeria’s highly mobilized efforts to eliminate polio, and even tackle measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases along the way, may have lessons for the US.
Children's immune systems are more vulnerable to the flu; even kids who are otherwise healthy can develop complications. The best way to protect children is by having them vaccinated.
The 2018-2019 flu season was less deadly than the last. But the pattern of infection was unusual, thanks to the various strains circulating and the way flu shots work over time.
In Canada, the age of consent for health-care decisions is assessed on a case-by-case basis. It can be age 14, or sometimes even younger.
As measles cases surge, people blame parents who refuse to vaccinate their children. A sociologist who has studied public health says anti-vaxxers may not be so different from the rest of us.
There are many reasons adults might not be up to date with the vaccinations they need. Catching up is easy enough, and vitally important in the fight against infectious diseases.
The polio vaccination successfully eradicated the disease in Canada. Can the same happen with other diseases?
The adjuvanted flu vaccine is free for over-65s and offers better protection than the standard vaccine. Here's what the research says.
As the measles outbreaks spread, public health officials are trying different measures to curb it. Yet there are limits to what they can do as they balance community safety and personal freedom.
Because of the potential drawbacks of forcing people to vaccinate their children, we should take other measures to increase vaccination rates.
Precedents exist for making people have certain vaccines. Perhaps it's time to extend this.
Q fever is a flu-like infection that spreads to people from animals. The bacteria that causes it can withstand harsh environmental conditions – in particular, drought.
Anti-vaccination sentiment is leading to disastrous consequences, not only in the U.S. but European countries, particularly Italy. A philosopher of science suggests how best to use facts to fight it.
You don't have to be an expert to be an effective advocate for vaccination. Here are some tips if you find yourself talking to someone who isn't convinced they should vaccinate their kids.
Top contributors
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Professor, Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Sydney
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Professor and Head of Clinical Research, National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, University of Sydney
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Associate Professor, University of Sydney
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Honorary Research Fellow, Macquarie University
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Professor of Global Biosecurity, NHMRC Principal Research Fellow, Head, Biosecurity Program, UNSW
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Professor and Director for the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance of Vaccine, University of Sydney
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Honorary Fellow at Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Melbourne
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Professor of International Health, Burnet Institute
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Professor in Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, Monash University
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Associate Professor, School of Public Health, Global Disease Epidemiology and Control, Johns Hopkins University
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Director, Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council
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PhD Candidate, School of Public Health, University of Sydney
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Associate Professor, Discipline of Childhood and Adolescent Health, University of Sydney
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Peter C. Doherty is a Friend of The Conversation.
Laureate Professor, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
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Lyn Gilbert is a Friend of The Conversation.
Clinical Professor in Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University of Sydney
