Rationale Dengue is a viral infection transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. It is not transmitted directly from person to person. Nevertheless, the virus which replicates in an infected individual can be transmitted to other humans through mosquito bites. Usually, the first symptom appears 4-5 days (maximum of 12 days) after the mosquito bite. Dengue disease results in a wide range of symptoms including fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands or skin rash. Symptoms usually last for 2-7 days. The disease can also be asymptomatic. Occasionally, dengue can be severe and potentially lead to hospitalization and in rare cases to death. Severe dengue is characterized by high fever and any of the following symptoms: severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, severe bleeding, bleeding in the stomach, bleeding gums, fatigue, restlessness, coma, seizure, and organ failure. Due to possible death resulting from a dengue disease, it is very important that you avail of this vaccination.    Generic and brand names The generic name is dengue tetravalent vaccine (live, attenuated). The brand name is: Dengvaxia. Composition of the vaccine Dengvaxia contains dengue virus serotypes 1, 2, 3, and 4 that have been weakened.

Rationale Tetanus is a neurological disorder characterized by increased muscle tone and spasms, which is caused by tetanospasmin, a powerful protein toxin produced and elaborated by Clostridium tetani. These microorganisms reside in the soil. Thus, if your open wound is infected by these microorganisms by accidentally touching the soil, you will suffer from tetanus. Generalized tetanus, the most common form, is characterized by increased muscle tone and generalized spasms. The median onset after injury or after soiling your wound is 7 days; 15 percent of cases occur within 3 days and 10 percent after 14 days. When there are generalized spasms, reduction in ventilation, apnea, or laryngospasm could take place, and you may die from it. It is, therefore, fatal that you urgently need this vaccination. Generic and brand names The generic name is: Tetanus toxoid adsorbed. The brand name is Imatet. Composition of the vaccine Purified tetanus toxoid adsorbed onto aluminium hydroxide/phosphate gel as an adjuvant. Thimerosal 0.01% concentration has been added as a preservative. Mechanism of action The vaccine induces the production of a protective level of antibodies against tetanus, persisting for at least 10 years. Schedule of administration For non-vaccinated individuals: Dose 1: At elected date Dose 2:

Rationale Typhoid fever is caused by a microorganism known as Salmonella typhi. You get this infection through the foods that you eat and the water that you drink. More often than not, this infection can be traced to a human carrier. In another saying, if the foods and water that you consumed were contaminated by a human carrier of Salmonella typhi, you will contract the infection. The incubation period of typhoid fever ranges from 3 to 60 days, depending on the size of the inoculum and the state of your immunity. This means that if the quantity of the microorganism that you took in was significantly large and that your immunity is weak, then you will easily get the infection. The disease presents with a step-like daily increase in temperature to 40 to 410C, associated with a headache, malaise, and chills. With proper management, you could recover from the disease. However, if not properly managed, complications will set in, such as the perforation of your intestine. If this happens, you may die. This is the reason why you need to avail of this vaccination. Generic and brand names Generic name is: Polysaccharide typhoid vaccine. Brand name is: Typhim Vi. Composition of the vaccine The active substance is Polysaccharides of Salmonella typhi (Ty2 strain – 25 micrograms for one dose of 0.5 ml).

Rationale Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted virus that is linked to cervical and tongue cancer. Cervical cancer is most often caused by one of the following situations – (1) early exposure of the cervical lining to semen (due to loss of virginity at a young age), (2) multiple sexual partners (3) being infected with human papillomavirus. Tongue cancer is linked to performing oral sex on a woman who is infected with the HPV virus. To control the risk of the human papillomavirus, the HPV vaccine has been developed. Generic and brand names The generic name is Human Papillomavirus Bivalent (Types 16 and 18) Vaccine, Recombinant. The brand name is: Cervarix. Composition of the vaccine Each 0.5 ml dose of sterile preparation contains approximately 20 ug HPV type 16 L1 protein and 20 ug HPV type 18 L1 protein. Nonmedicinal ingredients: 3-0-desacyl-4’-monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL), aluminium hydroxide, sodium chloride, sodium dihydrogen phosphate dihydrate, and sterile water for injection. Mechanism of action When the vaccine is injected to you, your body produces antibodies against the human papillomavirus, which causes 70% of all cervical cancer. Schedule of administration You will be injected three times with this vaccination. The first dose will be at elected date, followed by the second dose one month after the first dose, and then the third dose five months after the second dose.

Rationale This vaccine is formulated to fight against three diseases – tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. The purpose of having three vaccines in one vial is convenience. In one sitting the recipient gains protection from all three diseases. Tetanus is a neurological disease which can prove fatal. Diphtheria, on the other hand, produces toxins which could cause myocarditis, polyneuritis, and other systemic effects. Obstruction of the respiratory tract, presenting as tachypnea, dyspnea, stridor, cyanosis; and use of accessory muscles of respiration; can be caused by extensive pseudomembrane formation and swelling during the first few days of the disease. If your larynx or tracheobronchial tree is infected, you can suffer a potentially fatal respiratory obstruction. Pertussis is a respiratory tract infection caused by Bordetella pertussis. Its most common presentation among adolescents and adults is a cough, with or without paroxysms, persisting for 2 weeks or more. Other useful clinical clues are shortness of breath during coughing spells, nocturnal cough, tingling sensation in the back of the throat, vomiting, and a history of exposure to other patients with a prolonged coughing illness. The life-threatening complication of this disease is pneumonia. Generic and brand names The generic name is Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine Adsorbed.