Child vaccinations reduce your child\’s risk of disease, whether the cause is inherited from you or a family member, or some diseases acquired from the environment.
There are instances when your child should get vaccinated without thinking such as having a family history of a known disease such as hepatitis B disease, here your child must get the first vaccination of the hepatitis vaccine within 12 hours of birth.
Is vaccination necessary for children?
The nature in which our bodies are made makes them capable of catching different types of bacteria, viruses, parasites and even fungi that can cause disease in the body in a large proportion.
There are so-called antibodies that the body produces to play an important role, which is the opposition to anything that may cause diseases, and this is a very important part of the role of the immune system. Antibodies are soldiers in the body’s defense system, and each antibody has a specific defense role to play.
Therefore, in order for the body to protect itself and be able to resist diseases, it must be immune to disease, hence the idea of vaccination; It is what provides immunity against the disease without infecting the child, as vaccinations contain antigens and are the reason that prevents infection from the disease or reduces the damage it causes. And at the same time, it has the ability to stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies due to which the child acquires immunity against the disease, and therefore vaccinations are very necessary.
Children\’s vaccination schedule
Following the childhood vaccination schedule recommended by health organizations is important, as it helps protect infants, children and even teens from preventable infections.
If children are not vaccinated according to the schedule, follow-up of subsequent vaccinations is necessary, and parents should contact their doctor to follow up on those subsequent appointments and should report any side effects that may be noticed after vaccination.
There is something to be accepted in terms of different vaccinations depending on the child’s known health conditions. Often, combination vaccines are used so that children receive fewer injections.
Routine childhood vaccinations
1- Hepatitis B vaccine:
This type of vaccination is given to most newborns before they are discharged from the hospital.
The first dose is usually given at birth, the second dose is taken at 1 to 2 months of age, and the third dose is given between 6 to 18 months of age.
2- Rotavirus vaccine:
This type is provided according to the type of vaccine used, it can be given in the form of two or three doses.
3- Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) vaccine:
Three or four doses of Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine are given together with one vaccine, the first dose at two months of age, the second dose at four months of age, and the third dose at twelve to fifteen months of age.
There is another type of vaccination, in which the first dose is given at the age of two months. The second dose is given at the age of four months. The third dose is given at the age of six months, and the fourth dose is given at the age of twelve to fifteen months.
4- Polio Virus Vaccine:
Four doses of the vaccine are given. The first dose is given at two months of age. The second dose at four months of age. The third dose at six to eighteen months of age, and the fourth dose at the age of four to six years.
5- Tetanus and acellular cough (DTaP) vaccines:
The first dose is given at two months of age. The second dose at four months of age, and the third dose at six months of age.
6- Pneumococcal vaccine:
The child is given four doses of it, where the first dose is given at the age of two months. The second dose is given at the age of four months. The third dose is given at the age of six months, and the fourth dose is given at twelve to fifteen months.
7- Meningococcal vaccine:
Two doses of the vaccine are given, the first dose given at the age of 11 to 12 years and the second dose at the age of 16 years.
8- Flu vaccines:
It is necessary to give the influenza vaccination annually to all children, starting from the age of 6 months. There are two types of vaccines available, the body needs one or two doses, depending on age along other factors. Most children may only need one dose. Children between 6 months and 8 years old should receive it.
9- Measles and Rubella (MMR) vaccine:
Two doses of the vaccine are given. The first dose is given at 12 to 15 months of age and the second dose at 4 to 6 years of age.
10- Chickenpox vaccine:
The child is given two doses of the vaccination, the first dose given at the age of 12 to 15 months and the second dose at the age of 4 to 6 years.
The child is given two doses of the vaccination, the first dose given at the age of 12 to 15 months and the second dose at the age of 4 to 6 years.
11- Hepatitis A vaccine:
The body needs two doses of the vaccine for permanent protection. The first dose is given between the ages of 12 to 23 months, and the second dose is given 6 months after the first.
What is the vaccination for children of the age a year and a half?
e vaccination is a mandatory vaccination that consists of booster doses of all the vaccinations that your child has already received in the first year of his life, including the following:
A booster dose of polio vaccination, which is oral drops, protects against the risk of polio, which many countries have declared free of it thanks to vaccinations. There is also a booster dose of hepatitis B vaccination, to protect against hepatitis B, which is widespread in some Arab countries, and many other booster doses.
Post-vaccination symptoms
Sometimes and in some cases, children have post-vaccination symptoms, which are mild reactions from vaccinations, such as pain in the area where the injection was made or a rash, but there is no need to worry, all of these reactions are normal and will disappear quickly
You must read carefully regarding before and after the child’s vaccinations, and learn about the side effects that may occur so that a state of panic does not arise.
And don\’t worry if you notice that the child refuses to eat natural(lactation) or formula milk. He is expected to eat less in the 24 hours after receiving the vaccinations.
And you should pay attention to your child for a few days after receiving the vaccinations, and if you notice anything that raises your suspicions, you should contact the doctor urgently and immediately to be sure.
Harm of not vaccinating children
In case of a delay or failure to vaccinate the child, the child becomes more susceptible to diseases due to the weakness of his immune system and his inability to resist the disease.
This may lead to complications that may end in the death of the child when exposed to some diseases that could have been prevented by receiving vaccinations, such as: measles and cholera.
Vaccination is immunization and immunization means protection, and these methods are effective and safe to protect children from infectious diseases.
Vaccinations are also considered a breakthrough in preventive medicine because they protect your child\’s health by preventing him from contracting serious infectious diseases.
Basmat Al Hayat Medical Center has a distinguished group of experienced and skilled doctors, and we always aim to provide the medical services to all our patients, and this is done through accurate diagnosis and detection of the available treatment options.
Basmat Al Hayat Medical Center provides high quality medical services through medical clinics equipped with the latest medical equipment, in addition to the skilled doctors and a highly trained and equipped nursing team.
You can visit Basmat Al Hayat Medical Center in Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah.