TB/Polio vaccines, are they really for life
I had the usual jabs when I was a kid. Do they really last for life? My doctor says so. Can I have a test to establish if I have immunity?
Whilst on the matter, just living in the UK, is it worth getting vaccinated against any other nasty diseases?
Answer:yes the vaccinations last for life, coz once the antibodies which stop the infection are in your body they cant leave again.
You can be tested to check your immunity for TB by a heath test (6 pricks) on your lower arm. If it stays you are immune. I had one done three years ago just as i started my training for nursing and it only started to fade in the last year. you can still see it now if you look closely.
I'm not sure about a simple check for immunity to Polio, but I'm sure a blood test could check.
But as I mentioned earlier, once vacinated you are immune, so i doubt your GP would want to "waste" his time testing you, but you can ask!
As for getting vacinated against other things, its a matter of personal opinion, and your age. Young people going to uni, college etc can be vacinated for MMR as its very common in that age group, whereas for older people its probably not worth it. Whereas flu jab is perfect for over 65s and people who work with these people in healthcare settings, or people with longstanding conditions such as asthma or diabetes.
But ask your GP about any vacinations he would suggest, especially if you have missed any as a child, or in a group which is classed as high risk for certain illnesses.
Isn't TB bacterial? And there's no vaccine--a TB skin test is to test you for the infection.
Polio has been eradicated, hasn't it?