Introduction
Upon entry into secondary school, some important vaccines will be offered during a vaccination session at school:
- the hepatitis B vaccine
- the vaccine against meningococcal infections
- the combined diphtheria-tetanus vaccine*
*It should be noted that for this vaccination, a combined diphtheria and tetanus vaccine (dT vaccine) may be used, or a combined diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus vaccine (dTpa vaccine).
The nurse will also check whether the child has received all the vaccines recommended for his or her age. If necessary, she will recommend the additional vaccines necessary to complete the child’s protection.
This immunization clinic is the last one scheduled in the childhood immunization program. It is therefore an opportunity not to be missed in order to complete a child’s protection before adulthood.
Here is the information on the scheduled vaccines and the diseases they protect against.
Hepatitis B vaccine
What is hepatitis B?
Hepatitis is a liver disease. There are several types of hepatitis, including hepatitis B, which is caused by a virus. This disease can lead to serious complications, such as cirrhosis (a liver disease) and liver cancer.
How does hepatitis B spread?
Hepatitis B spreads through sexual relations or through blood, for example:
- during unprotected sexual relations (without a condom);
- through sharing of materials for preparing, injecting or inhaling drugs;
- during tattooing or piercing if the materials used are not sterile;
- through contact between an infected individual’s blood and a wound or mucous membrane;
- between a mother infected with hepatitis B and her baby during pregnancy or at childbirth.
Some infected individuals are asymptomatic. They are therefore unaware that they have hepatitis and can spread it. Some cases can be contagious for life.
How do you protect against hepatitis B?
Vaccination is the best way of protecting against hepatitis B.
About the hepatitis B vaccine
The hepatitis B vaccine is effective. In Québec, hepatitis B has nearly disappeared among vaccinated youths.
The protection it provides lasts for several decades. Nothing indicates that a booster dose is necessary later on in life.
What are the possible side effects of the hepatitis B vaccine?
The hepatitis B vaccine is safe. Most of the symptoms or reactions it causes are not serious and do not last long.
- often (fewer than 10% of individuals): pain, redness, swelling at the injection site, headache, digestive problems, dizziness, fatigue.
Severe allergic reactions following vaccination are very rare, but remain possible. If an allergic reaction occurs, symptoms will appear within a few minutes after vaccination. The person administering the vaccine will be able to treat this reaction immediately on site.
Vaccine against meningococcal infections
What are meningococcal infections and how do they spread?
Meningococcus is a bacterium. There are several types of meningococcus circulating in Québec, including those of serogroups B, C, W and Y. Meningococcus can cause serious infections, such as meningitis (infection of the brain lining) and meningococcemia (infection of the blood). Meningococcus spreads through the secretions from the nose and throat of infected individuals, even though they may not have any symptoms.
How do you protect against meningococcus?
Vaccination is the best way to protect against meningococcal infections and their complications.
About the vaccines against meningococcal infections
There are several vaccines against meningococcal infections. Some protect against only one type of meningococcus, whereas others protect against several types all at once. Pupils in Grade 7 receive a vaccine that effectively protects against four types of meningococcus: types A, C, W and Y.
What are the possible side effects of the vaccine against meningococcus of serogroups A, C, W and Y?
The vaccine against meningococcal infections of serogroups A, C, W and Y is safe. Most of the symptoms or reactions that can be caused by the vaccine are not serious and do not last long.
- in most cases (more than 50% of individuals): pain at the injection site;
- very often (fewer than 50% of individuals): redness or swelling at the injection site, headache, muscle pain, fatigue, discomfort, nausea, joint pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, irritability, drowsiness;
- often (fewer than 10% of individuals): fever, chills, vomiting, skin rash.
Severe allergic reactions following vaccination are very rare, but remain possible. If an allergic reaction occurs, symptoms will appear within a few minutes after vaccination. The person administering the vaccine will be able to treat this reaction immediately on site.
Tetanus-diphtheria vaccine
What is diphtheria and how does it spread?
Diphtheria is a contagious disease caused by a bacterium. It spreads primarily through contact with secretions from the nose and throat of an infected individual. The disease can lead to complications such as paralysis and death.
What is tetanus and how does it spread?
Tetanus is a serious disease caused by a bacterium found especially in soil and dust. The bacterium can infect an individual by penetrating the body through a wound, such as a scratch or cut. Tetanus can lead to serious complications, such as death.
How do you protect against diphtheria and tetanus?
Vaccination is the best way to protect against these two diseases.
About the tetanus-diphtheria vaccine
The vaccine against diphtheria and tetanus effectively protects against these two diseases with a single injection. The Québec immunization program schedules one dose of the vaccine during adolescence (Grade 7 in Nunavik). A booster dose is recommended at the age of 50 years.
What are the possible side effects of the diphtheria-tetanus vaccine?
- in most cases (more than 50% of individuals): pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache;
- very often (fewer than 50% of individuals): redness and swelling at the injection site, discomfort, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, chills;
- often (fewer than 10% of individuals): fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, irritability, drowsiness, skin rash, swollen lymph nodes;
- sometimes (fewer than 1% of individuals): small bump at the injection site lasting for a few weeks;
- very rarely (fewer than 1 in 10 000 individuals): abscess at the injection site.
Severe allergic reactions following vaccination are very rare, but remain possible. If an allergic reaction occurs, symptoms will appear within a few minutes after vaccination. The person administering the vaccine will be able to treat this reaction immediately on site.