Everybody has had a vaccination administered to them. However, have you ever wondered how they function, in particular to those preventing STDs? Fortunately, you are not alone. Most understand that vaccinations protect them against various infections. Yet, they do not know what the science behind vaccination is. In this article, we will explore the fundamentals of STD vaccinations in straightforward, easy-to-digest explanations.
The capabilities of prophylactic vaccinations
Prophylactic vaccinations stand at the forefront in battling STDs, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis A, and HPV. They have the incredible ability to train our immune system to recognise and fight off these STD viruses before they attack.
When you are administered a vaccination, you are essentially exposing your immune system to a small dose of a harmless virus, triggering it to be activated in response. This process prepares your immune system so that when the actual virus invades your body, it has the necessary defence ready to protect.
In other words, a prophylactic vaccination is like offering your immune system a sneak peek of what they can expect when the real viral attack occurs.
The timeliness of prophylactic vaccinations
Like many things in life, timing is vital when it comes to prophylactic vaccinations. For example, it is recommended to get HPV vaccinations as soon as one becomes sexually active, just as a preventive measure. This is because HPV is silent and deadly. Getting prophylactic vaccinations at an early age can prevent most types of genital warts and unwanted cancers after being sexually active.
For optimal coverage and prevention of STDs, it is vital to have adequate immunisation strategies. That is why HPV vaccinations are recommended under the National Adult Immunisation Schedule and National Childhood Immunisation Schedule for every female aged 9 to 26. That being said, it does not mean that guys do not have to get vaccinated.
Re-imagining vaccination strategies
Much research has found that STDs affect women more than men. As a result, there is a significant emphasis on gender-specific vaccination strategies. Differentiating immunisation strategies based on gender could lead to optimal control of STDs. With a distinct look into gender-specific risk to disease and infection severity, researchers are examining vaccination rates among each gender.
Vaccinations that protect against STDs
Currently, there are only three STD vaccinations available: hepatitis A, B, and HPV. A significant vaccination against HPV is Gardasil, which has been designed to combat various strains of the virus. With that being said, much research has gone into developing vaccinations for other STDs, such as syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhoea.
While vaccination is critical in preventing STDs, other preventive methods are pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). PrEP, as the name suggests, is a medication that is administered before sex to reduce the risk of contracting HIV. It is used by individuals who have a higher risk of contracting HIV. Though not a vaccination, traditionally speaking, it illustrates the capabilities of preventive strategies.
The landscape of STD vaccinations is a lot more interesting the deeper you go. There is much research that stands for gender-specific vaccinations. Studies have shown that both genders react differently to the same STD. As a result, there are practical implications for the distribution strategies of prophylactic vaccinations.
Here is a simplified version of the mechanics: If there are budget constraints, the coverage of vaccination is limited to about 20 to 30 per cent. Hence, it would be more beneficial to adopt a non-gender-specific vaccination strategy. However, when there is a larger supply of vaccination that offers more than 40 per cent coverage, the ideal strategy would be to vaccinate both genders but target more females.
Conclusion
The fight against STDs is ongoing, with researchers working tirelessly to develop the next vaccination. Needless to say, their relentless efforts are not the only way to win the war against STDs. We can play our part in our own sexual health, and that includes observing safe sex habits and conducting regular STD tests.
As one of the best STD clinics in Singapore, Elyon Clinic offers a wide range of men’s and women’s health services on top of STD and HIV services to ensure that you and your partner are in great sexual health. Take charge of your sexual health today! Contact us to find out how.