Immunizations start in the womb
itself. Shots are given during pregnancy and this protects the mother and child
till the baby comes to term, and through labor. As soon as the baby arrives,
the next round of immunizations
starts. The hospital gives you a list of immunizations that your baby should be
given. The pediatrician will keep you updated on the other vaccines that your
child should take and when they should be given. In fact, there are government
agencies that check to see if children have been given their shots correctly.
If they have not been administered, health inspectors or social workers may
even make house calls to remind you that you have to inoculate your child.
Because of this strict policy of immunization, many diseases that used to be fatal
or cause irreparable damage are almost fully eradicated in our country now.
What are the diseases that you should
have vaccinated your child against?
·
MMR
·
Polio
·
DTaP
·
Hib vaccine
·
HBV
·
Pneumococcal vaccine
·
Varicella
MMR
The acronym MMR stands for mumps, measles,
and rubella which is German measles. This immunizes a child against these
infections. Follow up shots need to be given at the appropriate age.
Polio
Polio has been eradicated in most
countries thanks to the polio vaccine. The polio vaccine comes in the form of
drops. Babies and young children are susceptible to polio. The first polio
drops are given during the first month for the baby. The follow up polio drops
are equally important and must be given at the right time, as prescribed by
your doctor.
DTaP
Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis are
diseases that still strike children in our country, albeit occasionally. For
the most part, pediatricians and parents make sure that children receive these
immunizations at the right time.
HiB vaccine
This is a relatively new vaccine and
is such a boon as it protects children against a deadly childhood illness,
spinal meningitis. The vaccine whose full form is Haemophilus influenzae type b
protects children against this disease.
HBV
This vaccine has also been around
only for a while. It protects children against hepatitis B which is a serious
type of jaundice that can affect the liver.
Pneumococcal vaccine (PCV7)
This new vaccine helps protect
children against pneumonia, infection in the blood, and meningitis. The
introduction of this vaccine has decreased child mortality rates in the
country.
Varicella
For the longest time, chicken pox was
just one of those diseases that parents and doctors alike accepted that a child
went through. But now, there is a vaccine to protect your child against chicken
pox.
Immunizations for adults
There is a growing number of
immunizations that health care advisories ask
adults to take. In fact, children are stronger than adults when it comes to
fighting diseases. When one of these childhood illnesses manifest in an adult,
it manifests in a stronger mutation and it can lead to complications and could
be fatal. Some adult immunizations are vaccinations for mumps, measles, rubella,
chicken pox and hepatitis.
Check with your doctor regularly
The problem about virus and bacteria
is that they mutate. Research on these diseases has to be ongoing because as
soon as a vaccination against them is found, the virus starts mutating and becomes
immune to the vaccine. A different vaccine has to be developed to combat the
mutated vaccine. Scientists, doctors and social workers work hard to keep
people updated on the latest immunizations.
Be a responsible parent and adult and
get your child and the rest of your family immunized against diseases!
