Health Issues and Vaccination Services

Common Health Issues and Vaccination Services

I. Common health issues

Emergency number: In case of emergencies requiring medical services, please dial 120. Provide all symptoms to medical personnel over the phone. If you know the patient has any specific illnesses, inform the medical personnel. Ambulances and medical personnel will arrive as soon as possible.

II. Vaccination services

National immunization program vaccines: The national immunization program vaccines include hepatitis B vaccine, BCG vaccine, polio vaccine, DTP vaccine, DT vaccine, meningococcal vaccine, MMR vaccine, Japanese encephalitis vaccine, and hepatitis A vaccine. Information on outpatient clinics for immunization in Tianjin can be found on the Tianjin Center for Disease Control and Prevention website: https://www.cdctj.com.cn/dwfw/yfjzmz/.

Rabies vaccine: Rabies is the deadliest known disease in humans. If bitten, scratched, licked on mucous membranes or wounds by infected mammals, such as dogs, cats, bats, and infected wild animals such as foxes, wolves, skunks, and raccoons, vaccination should be administered promptly. Those at high risk for rabies exposure (laboratory personnel engaged in rabies virus research, individuals in contact with rabies patients, veterinarians, animal shelter workers, hunters, travelers planning to visit high-risk rabies areas, etc.) can receive rabies vaccination before engaging in high-risk activities.

Information on rabies vaccine clinics in Tianjin can be found on the Tianjin Center for Disease Control and Prevention website: https://www.cdctj.com.cn/dwfw/yfyxmz/index.shtml.

How to prevent rabies?

1. Avoid contact with sources of infection.

2. Individuals in close contact with mammals, such as veterinarians and animal caretakers in epidemic areas, can undergo pre-exposure immunization.

3. Rinse the wound with flowing water and soap alternately for 15 minutes.

4. Seek medical attention at the nearest animal injury clinic as soon as possible, receive standardized treatment, and get vaccinated against rabies.

HPV vaccine: Cervical cancer is currently the only tumor with a clear cause that can be prevented by vaccination. Vaccination with the HPV vaccine is a primary preventive measure for cervical cancer, and females aged 9-45 should be vaccinated as early as possible. Currently, there are three types of HPV vaccines approved for sale in China: bivalent, quadrivalent, and nine-valent. About 84.5 percent of cervical cancer in China is related to HPV-16/18 infection. From a public health perspective, bivalent, quadrivalent, and nine-valent HPV vaccines provide similar immunogenicity and protective efficacy in preventing cervical cancer caused by HPV-16/18, and eligible women should be vaccinated as soon as possible based on economic conditions and vaccine availability.

Information on HPV vaccine clinics in Tianjin can be found on the Tianjin Center for Disease Control and Prevention website: https://www.cdctj.com.cn/dwfw/hpv/.

Influenza vaccine: Influenza is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by the influenza virus. Human influenza viruses can be divided into types A, B and C based on the antigenicity of their nuclear and membrane proteins. Influenza viruses are mainly transmitted by droplets and close contact and can also be indirectly transmitted through virus-contaminated objects. People of all ages are susceptible. Vaccination is one of the most economical and effective means of preventing influenza virus infection, reducing infection and the incidence of illness, as well as alleviating the severity of the disease. Information on influenza vaccine clinics in Tianjin can be found on the Tianjin Center for Disease Control and Prevention website: https://www.cdctj.com.cn/dwfw/lgym/index.shtml.

How to prevent influenza?

1. Wear masks to strengthen personal protection. When in enclosed environments, crowded places, using public transportation or visiting hospitals, wear masks properly.

2. Develop good personal hygiene habits. When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow; and after coughing or sneezing, wash your hands or clean your hands promptly after touching public facilities such as elevator buttons and doorknobs.

3. Adopt a healthy lifestyle. Maintain adequate sleep, sufficient nutrition; engage in moderate physical exercise; enhance physical fitness; and improve immune resistance.

4. Get vaccinated. The most effective and economical way to prevent influenza is to receive influenza vaccination. Vaccination can effectively reduce the risk of infection, illness and severe illness. Vulnerable groups such as children under five years old, the elderly aged over 60, patients with chronic diseases, and immunocompromised individuals, should actively get vaccinated.

COVID-19 vaccine: COVID-19 infection is a newly discovered respiratory infectious disease caused by the novel coronavirus. Most patients have a good prognosis, but a small number can have severe symptoms. COVID-19 vaccination can reduce the risk of infection and illness, being an effective measure to lower the occurrence of severe cases and death. Those eligible for vaccination should receive it. Information on COVID-19 vaccine clinics in Tianjin can be found on the Tianjin Center for Disease Control and Prevention website: https://www.cdctj.com.cn/dwfw/xgym/index.shtml.

Herpes zoster vaccine: Herpes zoster is an infectious skin disease caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which previously caused chickenpox. Vaccination against herpes zoster is an essential measure to prevent both herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia. It is recommended for individuals with normal immune function to prevent herpes zoster. Information on herpes zoster vaccine clinics in Tianjin can be found on the Tianjin Center for Disease Control and Prevention website: https://www.cdctj.com.cn/dwfw/dzpzymyyjzmz/index.shtml.

Hemorrhagic fever vaccine: Hemorrhagic fever, also known as hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), is an infectious disease that has been widely circulated in China caused by the Hantavirus, mainly transmitted by rodents. Hemorrhagic fever is characterized by bleeding tendencies and acute kidney injury. The incubation period is generally around two weeks, with an acute onset of high fever. The typical clinical manifestations are “three pains and three reds”, namely headache, back pain, orbital pain, and facial, neck, and chest skin flushing. Patients may have hypotensive shock and other symptoms, from oliguria to polyuria to a series of changes in recovery. In severe cases, the disease can progress rapidly and lead to death.

In daily life, you should avoid direct contact with rodents or their excrement and perform rodent prevention and control work. Pay attention to food hygiene to avoid contamination by rodent excrement. For those planning to go to outdoor environments, try not to sit or lie on grassy areas. In addition, vaccination against hemorrhagic fever can be used for prevention. Information on hemorrhagic fever vaccine clinics in Tianjin can be found on the Tianjin Center for Disease Control and Prevention website: https://www.cdctj.com.cn/dwfw/cxr/index.shtml.