What is immunization?
Immunization refers to the provision of protection against certain common and severe diseases that can cause serious illness in babies. This is a safe and important way to protect your baby from life threatening illness. Vaccines provide the body a chance to develop antibodies against the disease causing organisms , which will protect the baby against these diseases.
Why are vaccines started at birth?
The new-born infant is vulnerable to several infections as its immune system is not fully developed. Some diseases could be transmitted when the infant was inside the mother’s uterus and will manifest later in life as disease. In order to protect your baby against these diseases, it is essential to start giving vaccines soon after birth.
My baby is premature. When will the immunization schedule begin for my baby?
Premature babies are usually small by weight at birth. Also , they may have some associated problems, which requires continued care and hospitalization. For these babies, the birth dose of the vaccine is delayed until the baby becomes stable medically and starts gaining weight. All other vaccines are administered according to the regular immunization schedule, at the appropriate age.
What vaccines are given at birth?
At birth, the infant is given BCG vaccine. This is usually given on the left arm. This vaccine is useful to develop some protection against the spread to Tuberculosis in the body.
Oral polio drops are given at birth. Two drops of this vaccine is useful to develop antibodies against this disease.
Hepatitis B vaccine is the other vaccine that is recommended at birth. This will help to protect the infant against Hepatitis B which is a serious infection of the liver.
When and how often do I need to give vaccines to my baby?
The first dose of the vaccine is administered at 6 weeks of age. After this, every 4 weeks , that is at 10 and 14 weeks you will have to take your baby back for the remaining doses of vaccines. Usually , there is an approved Immunization Timetable that is followed by all doctors and nurses who administer vaccines.
After 14 weeks, the frequency of immunization reduces . The next immunization happens at 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 15 months and 18 months. Your doctor will mention the date of the next vaccine, before you leave the hospital. It is good the maintain the dates ad mentioned on the baby’s vaccine chart.
What happens if I miss the date of immunization due to any reason?
In case of missed dates, it is good to report to the doctor at the earliest possible time. Your doctor will advise you regarding the missed vaccination. Usually this will be given along with the other age -appropriate vaccines.
What will happen if I give one dose and do not give the subsequent doses of the vaccine? Will my baby be protected against those diseases?
Generally when two or more doses of a particular vaccine are recommended , these are done after extensive scientific trials and studies. The exact number of doses that can provide the maximum protection are calculated and then recommended in the Immunization timetable.
In case only one dose of the vaccine is given. Your baby will be only partially protected against the disease for which the vaccine is given. This will make your baby susceptible to that infection. It is good to follow the doctor’s recommendation and administer the correct number of doses of the vaccine always.
Will my baby be able to handle so many injections?
The routine childhood immunizations are designed to protect the baby against the dangerous diseases which can be life threatening. For each disease, there are multiple doses that must be given, in order t develop adequate levels of protection in the body. In order to minimize the number of pricks, these days there are vaccines which are made to consist of the antigens against several diseases. So , just by giving one prick , your baby will develop protection against five dangerous diseases. The dose of each of these antigens is very small , but sufficient to develop the needed response in the body. The baby’s body can handle as well as process so many antigens simultaneously.
Are all the vaccines necessary or are there some optional vaccines?
The childhood immunization schedule has been developed to offer protection against dangerous diseases that can be life threatening for the infants and children. All the vaccines that are currently recommended are needed to provide this protection. It is better to prevent these diseases rather than allow the child to remain unprotected and liable to get infected. As such, there is no concept of optional vaccines anymore.