Is Your Child Missing Vaccines?

No, we’re not talking about the COVID-19 vaccine. The ongoing pandemic should not be a reason to postpone the immunisation vaccines your child needs, reports Kayalvizhi Arivalan

- Kayalvizhi Arivalan

Vaccines prompt your child’s immune system to develop antibodies; they work by imitating the infection they are meant to prevent, so that the antibodies can then fight the disease itself. The vaccines timeline is usually spaced out in the time between birth and five years of age. Some of these might also be given as a combination vaccine so that the child gets fewer shots.

DON’T LET THE PANDEMIC LEAD TO POSTPONEMENT

Your paediatrician will help you understand the vaccines your childrequires at different times. Getting your child vaccinated on time will help protect them against almost seven vaccine-preventable diseases. If your child misses a dose or gets behind schedule, make sure you keep your healthcare provider informed about the delay and seek appropriate advice. “Vaccines protect children from various vaccine-preventable diseases such as BCG, polio, pertussis, MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), diphtheria, the streptococcus pneumoniae bacterium that could cause pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis, chickenpox, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and typhoid,” informs Dr Santosh T Soans, former president of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics, “Any disruption in the vaccination routine, even for a short period, will result in accumulation of susceptible individuals.” He also warns that there is a likelihood of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases and related fatalities post the COVID-19 pandemic, and urges parents to stick to the child’s vaccination routine.

PLAY CATCH-UP – AS SOON AS POSSIBLE