All You Need To Know About Baby Vaccination
BABY VACCINATION
Vaccination is a procedure in which a pathogen, that is an organism that causes a particular disease is injected inside the body and body produces specific anti-bodies, the product injected is called Vaccine.
You are very well aware of the vaccination in babies. A baby when born and after that at frequent intervals is vaccinated to attain immunity. But how important vaccination is and what will happen if a baby is not completely vaccinated. For that, we’ll need to understand a little bit of science behind that.
As you know that a baby when born is new to this world and require some time to adapt to its environment. The Immune System of the baby is too new, unable to withstand the harsh environment. So, to help the baby grow we need to nourish him with proper nutrients and at the same time protect him from diseases. For that, Vaccination comes to rescue.
We have an amazing body which have an amazing immune system which is basically a defense system against any foreign body that enters in the body. It protects the body from harmful bacteria and viruses by memorizing them. Yes, you read that right, by memorizing them.
We have specialized cells in the body that have a unique property of memorizing. That means, if you got infected with chicken pox virus your body probably memorize it and the next time when the same virus enters, the body’s immune system kills it before it could do any damage in the body. The Surprising part is that, that memory is retained for the lifetime.
That’s why, a person once infected with a chicken pox virus, won’t get it ever. However, if your immunity is not powerful enough to kill the virus even after memorizing, the disease can occur twice or thrice.
This is because of the weak immune system.
As a baby is new to the world also to the dangerous pathogens and his immune system is still not that strong, that’s why we need to vaccinate the baby so that he will be protected from some dangerous diseases which are fatal.
The next question was, what will happen if a baby is not completely vaccinated? To answer that, first you need to know that every infectious disease has a specific pathogen behind. One vaccine cannot protect the baby from all diseases. That’s why, you need to vaccinate the baby completely as prescribed by the government Schedule of Vaccination.
How a Vaccine Works?
Vaccine is the product which is injected inside the baby’s body. It contains the causative organism of a particular disease. For example, let’s say Tetanus, the vaccine for tetanus contains the tetanus toxoid which is a poison released by the tetanus bacteria, but in tiny amounts, large enough to trigger the immune system but small enough that can be easily dealt by our body.it is not sufficient enough to cause serious symptoms of the disease. In this way, the body cells memorize the organism and the baby too is protected from the deadly disease.
Benefits of Vaccination
? Vaccination is the best way to guarantee your child a healthy life which is safe from preventable diseases.
? Vaccination is safe and effective. All vaccines undergo long and detailed review by scientists, doctors and the government to make sure they are safe.
? Paediatric organizations such as The Indian Academy of Paediatrics and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly support protecting children with Recommended Vaccinations.
? Vaccination protects children from serious illness and complications. In the absence of vaccination, these diseases can lead to conditions such as Paralysis of limbs, hearing loss, fits, brain damage, mental retardation and even death.
? If children aren’t vaccinated, they can spread diseases to other young children, babies or to people with weak immunity such as Cancer patients.
Current Vaccination Schedule in India
|
AGE COMPLETED (DAYS/MONTHS/ YEARS) |
VACCINE | DOSES | Vaccine Name |
Site of Injection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIRTH |
BCG OPV (Oral polio drops) |
1 1 1 |
BCG OPV Hep-B |
Left upper Anterolateral side of mid- side. |
| 6 weeks |
Diphtheria, Tetanus type B Rotavirus 1 |
1 2 |
Penta (DPT- OPV RV |
Anterolateral side of mid- side. |
| 10 weeks |
Diphtheria, Tetanus Hepatitis B Hemophilus influenzae type B Rotavirus 1 |
1 |
Penta (DPT- |
Anterolateral side of mid- side. Anterolateral side of mid- Right side. |
| 14 weeks |
Diphtheria, Tetanus type B Rotavirus 3 |
1 1 5 |
Penta (DPT- IPV RV |
Anterolateral side of mid- side. Anterolateral side of mid- Right side |
| 6 months | Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine |
1 | ||
| 9 months | Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) |
1 | MMR | Right Upper Arm. |
| 12 months | Hepatitis A Influenza |
|||
| 15 months |
Measles, Mumps and Varicella 1 |
1 | MMR | Right Upper Arm. |
| 16-18 months |
Diphtheria, Tetanus type B |
1 | DPT 1st Booster Dose |
Antero- mid-thigh- |
| 4-6 years | Varicella 2 Diphtheria, Pertussis and Tetanus |
1 | DPT 2nd Booster Dose |
Left Upper Arm. |
| 9-14 years |
Tdap Human Papilloma Virus |
|||
| 15-18 years |
Tdap Human Papilloma Virus |
1 | Upper Arm. |
Obligatory Vaccination:
These are the vaccines which has to be given as ordered by the National Schedule of Vaccination.
These include:
? BCG- given for Tuberculosis.
? Hepatitis B vaccine: guards against hepatitis B virus, which damages the liver. First one is received at birth and subsequently at 1 month and third dose at 6-18 months.
? Diphtheria, tetanus and Pertussis (DTaP) is a combination of three vaccines in one. It protects against the deadly diseases_ Diphtheria: It is a serious disease that causes a whitish membrane to form in throat which bleed on removal. It is a Painful condition. The child is unable to eat or drink. Pertussis (Whooping Cough): It is dangerous disease in which there is uncontrollable cough which makes the child unable to breathe. Tetanus: It painfully tightens all the muscles of body and is fatal. Five doses which are given at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15-18 months and last one at 4-6 years. Kids get a booster dose shot with different Formulation (Tdap) at age 11-12 years then every 10 years as an adult.
? Hib Vaccine protects against Hemophilus influenzae type b(Hib), a type of bacteria that causes an infection in the brain and spinal cord that can damage a baby’s brain and hearing. Babies need four doses at 2 months, 4 months,6 months and between 12-15 months.
? Polio Vaccine: It is available in injectable as well as oral forms. It protects against the disability disease. Children are vaccinated against it at 2 months, 4 months, between 6 and 18 months and 4-6 years.
? MMR: Measles, Rubella and mumps. It is a combination of three vaccines. Measles is a rash disease and in severe cases can lead to damage to the brain. Mumps is the swelling of the salivary Glands. Rubella also called German Measles, cause miscarriages and birth defects during Pregnancy, if a woman gets infection. The MMR vaccine is recommended between 12-15 months.
Recommended Vaccines
? Hepatitis A Vaccine: It is a serious Liver Disease. It is given at least 6 months apart starting at 12 months.
? An Influenza vaccine is recommended for everyone each year from 6 months onwards.
? Varicella Vaccine: It is given for Chicken pox disease. Which can lead to infected blisters, bleeding disorders brain swelling and pneumonia. The Dose is given at 12-15 months and 4-6 years. If the child didn’t get the two vaccines then it can immunize between 7 years to 18 years.
? Pneumococcal Vaccines can be given to older kids (>2 years) specially those who have conditions that affect their immune system, such as Congenital heart disease, Cochlear Implant or Chronic Lung Disease.
? Meningococcal B vaccine (MenB): The MenB vaccine can be given to teens in 2 or 3 doses, depending on the situation of the child.
? HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) is given in 2 shots at 6-12 months period, at 11-12 years of age. For teens and young Adults (15-26 years), it is recommended to prevent Genital warts and related Cancers.
After - effects of Vaccine
Common after-effects include:
? Mild Fever
? Chills
? Swelling and pain over the site of injection.
? Muscle and joint aches.
? Uneasiness. These are the common after-effects which are usually encountered in babies after vaccination. These are relieved with appropriate pain killers and medications. It does not pose any threat to the health of the child. The child soon recovers from it. Serious After-effects:
? Skin Allergy
? Allergic reaction in body that causes running nose, watering eyes, breathlessness, increased heartbeat, flushing of Skin and signs of acute allergy. In case, the child shows such symptoms consult your doctor immediately. However, it is very rare as Vaccines are tested well before supplying to the Healthcare Centre.
“Give your Child the Shield from Deadly diseases. Go get your child Vaccinated. Stay Healthy, Stay Safe.”