vax scene - Vaccine Trials Group

FREE - Please take a copy
All About Vaccines
the
Why do we need vaccines?
Vaccines protect us against deadly diseases like measles, meningitis and whooping cough.
How do vaccines work?
When you receive a vaccine it helps your body create antibodies. Antibodies are proteins produced by your body’s
defensive immune cells that fight off any foreign substance (germs). Your body creates antibodies on its own whenever you
get an infection. But the diseases you get vaccines for are very dangerous. Most people get very sick and some die before
enough antibodies are produced. This is why we use vaccines to stimulate antibody production and cellular immunity
before people have the chance to get serious infections. If they are then exposed to the infection, the antibodies and
immune cells produced by the vaccine are already waiting to fight the germs.
This vaccine prot
ects us
from the Haemop
hilus
Influenza type b
bacteria. This ba
cteria
causes meningi
tis, (an
inflammation of
the
membranes cove
ring the
brain and spinal
cord) and
may cause brain
damage.
These bacteria ca
n also
infect the blood,
joints,
bones, muscles
, throat
and the cover su
rrounding
the heart. This is
especially
dangerous for ba
bies.
MMR Vaccine
The first M in MMR
stands for Measles,
a highly contagiou
to get) disease that
s (easy
causes a high feve
r, cough, and a sp
all over. It may also
ot
ty rash
cause ear infections
and pneumonia.
The second M in M
MR stands for Mum
ps. Mumps causes
swollen salivary gla
painful
nds in the face and
under the jaw, as we
a fever and a head
ll as
ache. Mumps also
may cause hearing
viral meningitis.
loss or
The R in MMR stan
ds for Rubella, also
called German Mea
It is most dangerou
sles.
s for women who ar
e
pregnant. Rubella
cause a mother to
can
have a miscarriage
(lose the baby) or de
a baby with heart dis
liver
ease, blindness, he
aring loss or learning
problems. Rubella
is a mild disease in
kids.
Polio Vaccine
st
to move) the legs and che
Polio can paralyse (unable
.
ible
oss
ing difficult or imp
making walking and breath
are fever, sore throat,
The first symptoms of polio
the
Polio is now very rare since
headache and a stiff neck.
vaccine became available.
4
Source: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/kids/html/vaccines.htm
Peter Hillman was 21 when meningococcal disease almost made
him another meningitis statistic. Now fighting fit and enjoying
a new job as a landscape architect, Peter shares his experience
with us in the hope of saving lives.
I woke up early one morning in pain
after a night out with a few friends.
The pain was unlike anything I had
really felt before. I had stiffness
throughout my body, great difficulty
walking and my eyes were sensitive
to light. I decided to head off to a GP
and get myself checked out.
I was examined by a doctor who
thought it must be a ‘flu-like virus and
told me to go home to bed, take a
couple of painkillers and get some
rest.
Unfortunately, at its early stage,
meningococcal infection is often
very hard to detect. The disease
can affect people in different ways
depending on whether it takes the
form of meningitis (which results in
the inflammation of the linings of the
brain and spinal cord) or septicaemia
(blood poisoning). The obvious signs
such as the rash only occur in the
latter stages, if at all, and by then it is
often too late.
After visiting the GP I went home
to rest. The pain became more and
more intense and by the time my
parents came home from work that
night I had a splitting headache, and
was barely able to move.
I was becoming delirious with fever
when they took me to hospital and I
was rushed through the waiting room
just in time. Upon examination, the
doctors discovered that a rash had
begun spreading over my body.
I was diagnosed with Meningococcal
.....continued page 2
Do you have GAS?
Do you know any children aged 0-10 years? They can
help us find out how frequently children are carrying the
GAS (group A strep) bug in their throats, and how normal
immunity develops to the bacteria.
GAS is a common cause of throat and skin infections,
but is also responsible for some rare but more serious
diseases such as scarlet fever, Toxic Shock Syndrome
and rheumatic fever. GAS infection can cause permanent
damage to the heart and kidneys. This study will aid future
work on a vaccine against GAS infection.
Participation in the study requires a single visit to the VTG
for a questionnaire, blood test and throat swab. If you are
interested in taking part please contact the Vaccine Trials
Group staff on 9340 8542.
biofilm and G
for the
We are still wanting volunteers for:
• HPV study for women 18 to 26 years to protect against more HPV types
• Ear, nose and throat studies - looking for children below 3 years of age with
ear infections and grommets and for children between 0 and 15 years old
without a history of ear infections
• ‘Dtap’ study for children age 4 years and above who have not yet had their
pre-school booster vaccines
Please give us a call on 9340 8542 or visit www.ichr.uwa.edu.au/vtg
sa
liv
Hib Vaccine
us
a
Chicken pox is
a virus. Most
cases have an
itchy rash and
a fever but if C
hicken pox is
severe it can
affect the lung
s
an
d brain or
lead to second
ary infection an
d
even cause
death. Each
year about 70
children are
admitted to P
MH with Chick
en pox. You
can catch it fro
m someone w
ho already ha
it by direct co
s
ntact or if that
p
erson sneeze
or coughs arou
s
nd you. The va
ccine is free
for children ag
ed 18 months.
Hepatitis B causes extreme
eyes
tiredness and jaundice (your
se
cau
and skin turn yellow). It may
the
the liver to stop working. If
y it can
bod
the
in
infection remains
lead to cancer later in life.
ing
Vaccine
DECEMBER 2007
e gi v
Chicken Pox
Contact us on (08) 9340 8542 or email vtg@ichr.uwa.edu.au
Bryce and Kat
Hepatitis B Vaccine
eria which
The D in DTPa stands for Diphth
at, mouth
is an infection that attacks the thro
disease
ious
tag
con
and nose. This is a very
vaccine
the
e
(easy to get), but rare ever sinc
y
gre
a
was created. Diphtheria can form
the windpipe
web that may completely cover
athing.
and cause someone to stop bre
right away
ted
Also, if this disease is not trea
failure or
it could cause pneumonia, heart
paralysis.
. Tetanus
The T in DTPa stands for Tetanus
found in
is an infection caused by a bacteria
ally enters
dirt, gravel and rusty metal. It usu
re wound
ctu
pun
a
the body through a cut or
se the
cau
(eg rose thorn). Tetanus bacteria
ten up). If
muscles to spasm (suddenly tigh
it causes
tetanus attacks the jaw muscles
close
and
n
lockjaw, the inability to ope
se the
your mouth. Tetanus can also cau
t can be
breathing muscles to spasm. Tha
deadly.
is which is
The Pa in DTPa stands for Pertuss
is a bacteria
also called Whooping Cough. It
sms that
spa
g
ghin
that causes severe cou
“whoop.”
a
may be followed by a sound like
and allows
The cough can last for 3 months
and
other infections such as pneumonia
y.
bod
bronchitis to attack the
NEWSLETTER OF THE VACCINE TRIALS GROUP
Meningococcal disease: my story
Lets learn more about the diseases we get vaccinated against.
DTPa Vaccine
VAX SCENE
a
le
mp
sa
AS st u
dies.
New HPV
vaccine study
may give greater
protection
Staff profile
ANGELA FUERY
A new human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine study has just
commenced at VTG. The study is assessing the response
to a new vaccine that may protect women against more
types of HPV that cause cervical cancer and other genital
cancers and genital warts than the current HPV vaccine.
Global fight against
Angela has been doing a fantastic job coordinating our Phase 1 Adult
Meningococcal B vaccine study. Her PhD continues with work around
Meningococcal disease and will investigate vaccine-specific B- and
T-cell responses to meningococcal conjugate and lipoprotein vaccines
in healthy adults and children.
and other areas in the genital region. This infection most
often goes away by itself without causing any symptoms or
disease. However, if it does not go away over a long period
of time (this is called persistent infection) it can lead to
cancer of the cervix, vulva or vagina. HPV can also cause
genital warts.
Human papillomaviruses are viruses that cause a common
infection of the skin and genital area. Several types of HPV
infection are transmitted by sexual contact and, in women,
can infect the cervix (the lower part of the uterus or womb)
Angela was brought up in the wheat belt town of Bruce Rock with her
2 brothers. Her parents still have their wheat and sheep farm there
and Angela loves making the journey home. She went to school at St
Brigid’s in Lesmurdie and completed a Science degree with first class
honours at the University of WA. When asked about why she became
interested in science, Angela says she likes the “bigger picture stuff”
and finding out how the whole world works is really fascinating.
We would like to hear from women aged 18 to 26 years
who have not yet had the free cervical cancer vaccine,
Gardasil.
POLIO
by Janet McBride
Angela with Gizmo
October 24 2007 was World Polio
Eradication Day. Ten million doses of
polio vaccine were administered to
children in Africa and Asia. Another
135 million doses were planned for
the following weeks.
cases in over 125 endemic countries
to 1,951 reported cases in 2005
in four countries - Nigeria, India,
Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Poliomyelitis is a highly infectious
disease which enters the body
through the mouth. It can cause total
paralysis within hours. About one
in 200 cases will have irreversible
paralysis, usually in the legs, but
5-10% will die when their breathing
muscles are also affected. It mainly
affects children under five.
Between 2003 and 2005, 25
previously polio-free countries were
re-infected due to ‘importations’. In
Australia, the last case of ‘wild’ polio
infection was diagnosed in 1986.
However, in July 2007 a young man
returning to Victoria from Pakistan
was diagnosed with polio with mild
paralysis. He recovered and none
of those he came in contact with
became ill.
In 1988, the Global Polio Eradication
Initiative was launched resulting in a
99% decline in cases from 350,000
While there is still polio in the
world there is a risk of contracting
the infection. The current
Since the time in hospital I
have become involved with the
Amanda Young Foundation (www.
amandayoungfoundation.org.
au) which was set up in memory
of Amanda Young who died after
contracting the disease at age
18. This foundation helps to raise
awareness of Meningococcal
disease, and to promote preventative
measures such as vaccination.
Most of the deaths that occur from
2
Having many interests including cooking, travelling and keeping
fit, Angela has also participated with other VTG staff members in a
triathlon, completing the running leg. Angela loves animals and has
2 dogs Gizmo & Stephanie. She has also just become the proud
Auntie to nephew Timothy. In the office, Angela is known as the local
‘weather girl’. Her work colleagues say that if ever they need to know
the forecast for the next half hour or 2 weeks Ange is the one to ask
– she is always spot on! Her colleagues also reveal she has a great
memory for dates. If anyone needs to know when they did something,
just ask Ange – she always knows!
Angela is now having a well deserved break travelling to the US and
Europe and will commence her new role in early 2008.
The polio clinic in Ja
isalmer, India, Janu
2007.
ary
recommendations for immunisation
against polio in Australia are four
doses at two, four and six months
and four years of age. Repeat
vaccination is recommended for
adults at high risk due to travel or
occupation.
.....from page 1
disease and treated with antibiotics.
I spent the next three weeks in
a hospital bed, and another two
months at home before I was back
to health. I have now made a full
recovery with everything intact.
This newsletter issue profiles another one of our valued scientists
who has taken the leap to enrol as a PhD student in 2008. Angela
Fuery will be sorely missed as our research assistant at VTG. She is
very popular, not only at VTG, but with many of the other staff at the
research facility. Fortunately, we will still see her around VTG but in a
different role as a student.
Meningococcal disease can be
prevented through early recognition
and antibiotic treatment. However,
misdiagnosis often occurs as the
symptoms are so hard to detect.
If the disease is not treated it is
always fatal. Measures of preventing
the disease such as a vaccine are
therefore extremely important when it
comes to Meningococcal infection.
WA Immunisation Alliance
a first for Australia
Heidi Hutton from the Vaccine Trials Group has been instrumental
in facilitating the establishment of the first Immunisation Alliance in
Australia. The alliance aims to promote awareness of the importance
of vaccination in the community for the very young to the elderly.
“The response from people wanting to be a part of this group was
terrific,” said Heidi. “There were so many enthusiastic people who
were willing to volunteer their time to help improve the health of WA
communities.”
“WA has the lowest immunisation rates in Australia,” says Heidi, “and
even though we do not see as many of the devastating diseases that
have become preventable through immunisation, we do not want to
become complacent and see immunisation rates drop off and the
diseases start to return.”
Pictured at the Alliance
launch is Dr Neale Fong,
Director General of Health,
Tracey Armson-Cull, Chair
of the Alliance and Dr Paul
Van Buynder, Director of
Communicable Diseases
Control Directorate.
3
Meningococcal B vacc
was the winner of th ine study participant Rebecca
last newsletter. Th e word sleuth competition from the
the kids from meninge answer was “We are helping save
diseases by being in itis and other vaccine preventable
effectiveness of new studies to test the safety and
Rebecca received 2 movaccines”. For her correct entry,
vie tickets from Jan
Coordinator.
Adams, VTG
Complete the
crossword for your
chance to win a prize!
New HPV
vaccine study
may give greater
protection
Staff profile
ANGELA FUERY
A new human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine study has just
commenced at VTG. The study is assessing the response
to a new vaccine that may protect women against more
types of HPV that cause cervical cancer and other genital
cancers and genital warts than the current HPV vaccine.
Global fight against
Angela has been doing a fantastic job coordinating our Phase 1 Adult
Meningococcal B vaccine study. Her PhD continues with work around
Meningococcal disease and will investigate vaccine-specific B- and
T-cell responses to meningococcal conjugate and lipoprotein vaccines
in healthy adults and children.
and other areas in the genital region. This infection most
often goes away by itself without causing any symptoms or
disease. However, if it does not go away over a long period
of time (this is called persistent infection) it can lead to
cancer of the cervix, vulva or vagina. HPV can also cause
genital warts.
Human papillomaviruses are viruses that cause a common
infection of the skin and genital area. Several types of HPV
infection are transmitted by sexual contact and, in women,
can infect the cervix (the lower part of the uterus or womb)
Angela was brought up in the wheat belt town of Bruce Rock with her
2 brothers. Her parents still have their wheat and sheep farm there
and Angela loves making the journey home. She went to school at St
Brigid’s in Lesmurdie and completed a Science degree with first class
honours at the University of WA. When asked about why she became
interested in science, Angela says she likes the “bigger picture stuff”
and finding out how the whole world works is really fascinating.
We would like to hear from women aged 18 to 26 years
who have not yet had the free cervical cancer vaccine,
Gardasil.
POLIO
by Janet McBride
Angela with Gizmo
October 24 2007 was World Polio
Eradication Day. Ten million doses of
polio vaccine were administered to
children in Africa and Asia. Another
135 million doses were planned for
the following weeks.
cases in over 125 endemic countries
to 1,951 reported cases in 2005
in four countries - Nigeria, India,
Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Poliomyelitis is a highly infectious
disease which enters the body
through the mouth. It can cause total
paralysis within hours. About one
in 200 cases will have irreversible
paralysis, usually in the legs, but
5-10% will die when their breathing
muscles are also affected. It mainly
affects children under five.
Between 2003 and 2005, 25
previously polio-free countries were
re-infected due to ‘importations’. In
Australia, the last case of ‘wild’ polio
infection was diagnosed in 1986.
However, in July 2007 a young man
returning to Victoria from Pakistan
was diagnosed with polio with mild
paralysis. He recovered and none
of those he came in contact with
became ill.
In 1988, the Global Polio Eradication
Initiative was launched resulting in a
99% decline in cases from 350,000
While there is still polio in the
world there is a risk of contracting
the infection. The current
Since the time in hospital I
have become involved with the
Amanda Young Foundation (www.
amandayoungfoundation.org.
au) which was set up in memory
of Amanda Young who died after
contracting the disease at age
18. This foundation helps to raise
awareness of Meningococcal
disease, and to promote preventative
measures such as vaccination.
Most of the deaths that occur from
2
Having many interests including cooking, travelling and keeping
fit, Angela has also participated with other VTG staff members in a
triathlon, completing the running leg. Angela loves animals and has
2 dogs Gizmo & Stephanie. She has also just become the proud
Auntie to nephew Timothy. In the office, Angela is known as the local
‘weather girl’. Her work colleagues say that if ever they need to know
the forecast for the next half hour or 2 weeks Ange is the one to ask
– she is always spot on! Her colleagues also reveal she has a great
memory for dates. If anyone needs to know when they did something,
just ask Ange – she always knows!
Angela is now having a well deserved break travelling to the US and
Europe and will commence her new role in early 2008.
The polio clinic in Ja
isalmer, India, Janu
2007.
ary
recommendations for immunisation
against polio in Australia are four
doses at two, four and six months
and four years of age. Repeat
vaccination is recommended for
adults at high risk due to travel or
occupation.
.....from page 1
disease and treated with antibiotics.
I spent the next three weeks in
a hospital bed, and another two
months at home before I was back
to health. I have now made a full
recovery with everything intact.
This newsletter issue profiles another one of our valued scientists
who has taken the leap to enrol as a PhD student in 2008. Angela
Fuery will be sorely missed as our research assistant at VTG. She is
very popular, not only at VTG, but with many of the other staff at the
research facility. Fortunately, we will still see her around VTG but in a
different role as a student.
Meningococcal disease can be
prevented through early recognition
and antibiotic treatment. However,
misdiagnosis often occurs as the
symptoms are so hard to detect.
If the disease is not treated it is
always fatal. Measures of preventing
the disease such as a vaccine are
therefore extremely important when it
comes to Meningococcal infection.
WA Immunisation Alliance
a first for Australia
Heidi Hutton from the Vaccine Trials Group has been instrumental
in facilitating the establishment of the first Immunisation Alliance in
Australia. The alliance aims to promote awareness of the importance
of vaccination in the community for the very young to the elderly.
“The response from people wanting to be a part of this group was
terrific,” said Heidi. “There were so many enthusiastic people who
were willing to volunteer their time to help improve the health of WA
communities.”
“WA has the lowest immunisation rates in Australia,” says Heidi, “and
even though we do not see as many of the devastating diseases that
have become preventable through immunisation, we do not want to
become complacent and see immunisation rates drop off and the
diseases start to return.”
Pictured at the Alliance
launch is Dr Neale Fong,
Director General of Health,
Tracey Armson-Cull, Chair
of the Alliance and Dr Paul
Van Buynder, Director of
Communicable Diseases
Control Directorate.
3
Meningococcal B vacc
was the winner of th ine study participant Rebecca
last newsletter. Th e word sleuth competition from the
the kids from meninge answer was “We are helping save
diseases by being in itis and other vaccine preventable
effectiveness of new studies to test the safety and
Rebecca received 2 movaccines”. For her correct entry,
vie tickets from Jan
Coordinator.
Adams, VTG
Complete the
crossword for your
chance to win a prize!
FREE - Please take a copy
All About Vaccines
the
Why do we need vaccines?
Vaccines protect us against deadly diseases like measles, meningitis and whooping cough.
How do vaccines work?
When you receive a vaccine it helps your body create antibodies. Antibodies are proteins produced by your body’s
defensive immune cells that fight off any foreign substance (germs). Your body creates antibodies on its own whenever you
get an infection. But the diseases you get vaccines for are very dangerous. Most people get very sick and some die before
enough antibodies are produced. This is why we use vaccines to stimulate antibody production and cellular immunity
before people have the chance to get serious infections. If they are then exposed to the infection, the antibodies and
immune cells produced by the vaccine are already waiting to fight the germs.
This vaccine prot
ects us
from the Haemop
hilus
Influenza type b
bacteria. This ba
cteria
causes meningi
tis, (an
inflammation of
the
membranes cove
ring the
brain and spinal
cord) and
may cause brain
damage.
These bacteria ca
n also
infect the blood,
joints,
bones, muscles
, throat
and the cover su
rrounding
the heart. This is
especially
dangerous for ba
bies.
MMR Vaccine
The first M in MMR
stands for Measles,
a highly contagiou
to get) disease that
s (easy
causes a high feve
r, cough, and a sp
all over. It may also
ot
ty rash
cause ear infections
and pneumonia.
The second M in M
MR stands for Mum
ps. Mumps causes
swollen salivary gla
painful
nds in the face and
under the jaw, as we
a fever and a head
ll as
ache. Mumps also
may cause hearing
viral meningitis.
loss or
The R in MMR stan
ds for Rubella, also
called German Mea
It is most dangerou
sles.
s for women who ar
e
pregnant. Rubella
cause a mother to
can
have a miscarriage
(lose the baby) or de
a baby with heart dis
liver
ease, blindness, he
aring loss or learning
problems. Rubella
is a mild disease in
kids.
Polio Vaccine
st
to move) the legs and che
Polio can paralyse (unable
.
ible
oss
ing difficult or imp
making walking and breath
are fever, sore throat,
The first symptoms of polio
the
Polio is now very rare since
headache and a stiff neck.
vaccine became available.
4
Source: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/kids/html/vaccines.htm
Peter Hillman was 21 when meningococcal disease almost made
him another meningitis statistic. Now fighting fit and enjoying
a new job as a landscape architect, Peter shares his experience
with us in the hope of saving lives.
I woke up early one morning in pain
after a night out with a few friends.
The pain was unlike anything I had
really felt before. I had stiffness
throughout my body, great difficulty
walking and my eyes were sensitive
to light. I decided to head off to a GP
and get myself checked out.
I was examined by a doctor who
thought it must be a ‘flu-like virus and
told me to go home to bed, take a
couple of painkillers and get some
rest.
Unfortunately, at its early stage,
meningococcal infection is often
very hard to detect. The disease
can affect people in different ways
depending on whether it takes the
form of meningitis (which results in
the inflammation of the linings of the
brain and spinal cord) or septicaemia
(blood poisoning). The obvious signs
such as the rash only occur in the
latter stages, if at all, and by then it is
often too late.
After visiting the GP I went home
to rest. The pain became more and
more intense and by the time my
parents came home from work that
night I had a splitting headache, and
was barely able to move.
I was becoming delirious with fever
when they took me to hospital and I
was rushed through the waiting room
just in time. Upon examination, the
doctors discovered that a rash had
begun spreading over my body.
I was diagnosed with Meningococcal
.....continued page 2
Do you have GAS?
Do you know any children aged 0-10 years? They can
help us find out how frequently children are carrying the
GAS (group A strep) bug in their throats, and how normal
immunity develops to the bacteria.
GAS is a common cause of throat and skin infections,
but is also responsible for some rare but more serious
diseases such as scarlet fever, Toxic Shock Syndrome
and rheumatic fever. GAS infection can cause permanent
damage to the heart and kidneys. This study will aid future
work on a vaccine against GAS infection.
Participation in the study requires a single visit to the VTG
for a questionnaire, blood test and throat swab. If you are
interested in taking part please contact the Vaccine Trials
Group staff on 9340 8542.
biofilm and G
for the
We are still wanting volunteers for:
• HPV study for women 18 to 26 years to protect against more HPV types
• Ear, nose and throat studies - looking for children below 3 years of age with
ear infections and grommets and for children between 0 and 15 years old
without a history of ear infections
• ‘Dtap’ study for children age 4 years and above who have not yet had their
pre-school booster vaccines
Please give us a call on 9340 8542 or visit www.ichr.uwa.edu.au/vtg
sa
liv
Hib Vaccine
us
a
Chicken pox is
a virus. Most
cases have an
itchy rash and
a fever but if C
hicken pox is
severe it can
affect the lung
s
an
d brain or
lead to second
ary infection an
d
even cause
death. Each
year about 70
children are
admitted to P
MH with Chick
en pox. You
can catch it fro
m someone w
ho already ha
it by direct co
s
ntact or if that
p
erson sneeze
or coughs arou
s
nd you. The va
ccine is free
for children ag
ed 18 months.
Hepatitis B causes extreme
eyes
tiredness and jaundice (your
se
cau
and skin turn yellow). It may
the
the liver to stop working. If
y it can
bod
the
in
infection remains
lead to cancer later in life.
ing
Vaccine
DECEMBER 2007
e gi v
Chicken Pox
Contact us on (08) 9340 8542 or email vtg@ichr.uwa.edu.au
Bryce and Kat
Hepatitis B Vaccine
eria which
The D in DTPa stands for Diphth
at, mouth
is an infection that attacks the thro
disease
ious
tag
con
and nose. This is a very
vaccine
the
e
(easy to get), but rare ever sinc
y
gre
a
was created. Diphtheria can form
the windpipe
web that may completely cover
athing.
and cause someone to stop bre
right away
ted
Also, if this disease is not trea
failure or
it could cause pneumonia, heart
paralysis.
. Tetanus
The T in DTPa stands for Tetanus
found in
is an infection caused by a bacteria
ally enters
dirt, gravel and rusty metal. It usu
re wound
ctu
pun
a
the body through a cut or
se the
cau
(eg rose thorn). Tetanus bacteria
ten up). If
muscles to spasm (suddenly tigh
it causes
tetanus attacks the jaw muscles
close
and
n
lockjaw, the inability to ope
se the
your mouth. Tetanus can also cau
t can be
breathing muscles to spasm. Tha
deadly.
is which is
The Pa in DTPa stands for Pertuss
is a bacteria
also called Whooping Cough. It
sms that
spa
g
ghin
that causes severe cou
“whoop.”
a
may be followed by a sound like
and allows
The cough can last for 3 months
and
other infections such as pneumonia
y.
bod
bronchitis to attack the
NEWSLETTER OF THE VACCINE TRIALS GROUP
Meningococcal disease: my story
Lets learn more about the diseases we get vaccinated against.
DTPa Vaccine
VAX SCENE
a
le
mp
sa
AS st u
dies.
Vaccines save lives CROSSWORD
Most of the answers
to the crossword
can be found in this
newsletter. If you
need more help, try
looking up our website
for answers - www.
ichr.uwa.edu.au/vtg
1
2
L
V
G
5
6
7
9
2. A wad of absorbent
material usually wound
around one end of a small
stick and used for applying
medicine or taking samples
11
10
L
P
T
8
Y
N
R
N
12
K
13
O
T
A
T
14
15
L
16
M
17
H
18
6. The name of one of the
lovely nurses that work at
VTG
19
B
S
20
8. A type of virus that
causes cervical cancer
V
21
22
25
I
23
D
24
O
16. Device used to record
temperature
D
F
V
O
10. Another name for
whooping cough
17. Occurs when bacteria
stick to a surface and cover
themselves in slime to
protect themselves
P
B
1. An infection of the
membranes covering the
brain and spinal cord
5. What we say to all of the
participants in our studies
C
4
DOWN
3. An institution where the
sick or injured are given
medical or surgical care
3
T
P
T
C
26
R
E
27
S
19. A slender hollow
instrument with a sharp
end used to put something
in or take something out of the body via
the skin
20. A preparation of killed, weakened, or
fully infectious microbes that is given by
injection to produce or increase immunity
to a particular disease
21. An additional vaccine given to provide
updated protection
24. A type of microbe that can grow and
multiply only in living cells, and that cause
disease
26. A contagious disease causing fever
and swelling of the face and neck
ACROSS
2. What a Doctor uses to listen to your
heart
C H
S
those who are not sick
Name ..........................................
12. A common virus in children that
causes vomiting and diarrhoea
Address .......................................
13. A contagious disease marked by fever
and red spots on the skin that is now
uncommon because of vaccine which is
given to babies when they are 12 months
old
14. A virus that is worse than a common
cold
15. Anaesthetic cream applied to the
elbow region before a blood test
18. A substance produced by special
cells of the body to combat the “bad
bugs”
22. Having a temperature
4. Another word for “spit”
23. The red fluid that circulates in the
heart, arteries, capillaries, and veins
7. Free of disease or injury
25. Another name for blood poisoning
9. What we give to our participants after
they have a vaccine or blood test
27. Study and investigation for the
purpose of discovering and explaining
new knowledge
11. A person trained in caring for the sick,
injured and in maintaining good health in
P
...................................................
....................................................
Postcode ....................................
Phone number ............................
The first correct entry drawn
receives a prize. Please complete
your details and send this page
to:
Heidi Hutton
Vaccine Trials Group
100 Roberts Rd
Subiaco WA 6008
Entries close January 31, 2008.