The simple reason why vaccines are so important is because it prevents deadly diseases and saves lives.
What are vaccines?
A vaccine is an agent that resembles a disease-causing microorganism and is often made from weakened or killed forms of microbe, its toxins or one of its surface proteins…too complicated?!
Vaccines are the weakened bad guys which are introduced into the body so that soldiers in our blood (the white blood cells) can produce more soldiers with specific weapons to fight against this weakened “bad guy”. After the bad guy has been defeated, the soldiers of our body form memory cells, which remember the artillery they used to fight this bad guy. So that the next time, the real bad guys (deadly diseases) come, the white blood cells has the memory to fight them!
In simple words, the vaccine is the dress rehearsal before the actual fashion show.
What is Vaccination/Immunisation?
Immunisation is a process by which a person is made immune or resistant to a deadly infectious disease typically by the administration of a vaccine.
This process can come in various forms such as injections, oral drops and nasal sprays.
Why does my child have to get vaccinated against the same disease more than once?
Some vaccines need more than one dose to help the immune system build up enough tools to protect the body therefore, it is imperative to get all the doses in a vaccine series. If you don’t, your child isn’t getting full protection.
Other vaccines wear off over time and “Booster” shots make sure the immune system can still fight a disease.
So many injections at the same time?! Why so cruel?
Researchers base the timing of vaccines for children on a few things such as, the age when a vaccine works best in the immune system. Therefore the age and type of vaccine given at that particularly time is not arbitrary but well researched and thought-out.
What are the side effects?
Most of the post vaccination reactions are very mild and do not last very long such as:
-mild pain at the site of injection
-low grade fever
-child may be fussy for a couple of hours.
Serious problems after the vaccinations are very rare however, if there are any the pediatrician should contacted right away.
-a lot of swelling where she/he has gotten the shot
-high grade fever
-convulsions
-severe allergic reaction
The side effects mentioned above seem scary! What happens if I don’t vaccinate my child?
The effect of not vaccinating your child is even worse than the side effects!
Your child will be at risk for many serious or deadly diseases. Not only will he get sick but also, he can spread the germs to babies who have not yet been vaccinated or to others who cannot get a vaccine. Therefore the consequences of not being vaccinated is not only grave for the child but to all the children in the community.
Remember, I always say your pediatrician is like an extended family member who wants to make sure your child is safe and healthy. If you have concerns, ask about them. Together you can decide what’s best for your child.
By: Dr. Shinsha Shetty, MD Pediatrics, Fellowship in Neonatology
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