Vaccination for Children

VACCINATION FOR CHILDREN

Our body works nonstop to protect us from negative bacteria and viruses from the environment. It’s a procedure we can’t see so it’s easy to pass completely unnoticed. But even our body needs some help sometimes and vaccines is the perfect way to prevent our immune system to work only on its own and make sure our system fights all the possible diseases that bacteria and viruses might cause.

Vaccination is a public health commitment for everyone, and it can prevent your child from getting serious diseases that can kill or cause long-term health problems. Vaccinated children are much less likely to suffer the devastating consequences of these diseases. Immunisation also helps to prevent outbreaks and epidemics of these infectious diseases. This is because there are more people in the community who are immune to the disease so there is less opportunity for the infection to circulate.

VACCINATION FOR CHILDREN: HOW VACCINES USUALLY WORK

Vaccines contain a tiny part of the virus or bacteria that causes a disease and when these are given, the body’s immune system reacts towards it and produce antibodies against the virus or bacteria. Then, the antibodies remain in the body and will be ready to recognise that virus or bacteria and protect your child if he or she ever encounter that infection.

If you’re one of those parents that are a little sceptical about vaccines and think that these are more harmful to your child than it does good, please reconsider! The immune system is designed to deal with and protect the body from a multitude of bacteria, viruses and other germs that are encountered daily from birth. Since day one, your baby has to deal with many, many germs.

In summary, an unvaccinated child may die from a preventable disease if they get exposed to the disease. This is because their body is not strong enough to fight diseases such as polio and whooping cough. Also, vaccination is about public health. A child who is not vaccinated can be a source of infection for other children and adults as well.

VACCINATION FOR CHILDREN: BEFORE TAKING THE VACCINE

If your child is booked for vaccination but he or she has a fever, the vaccination should be postponed until they feel better. However, if your young kid has an ordinary cold, but their temperature is normal, then it’s safe for the vaccine to be given unless he or she has a very blocked and/ or runny nose. In that case, they shouldn’t be given the nasal spray flu vaccine until they are better.

If you have any other concerns or your child is suffering from some other illness, talk to the doctor and they can examine your kid and ultimately decide if your child should take the vaccine or postponed it.

But it’s very important to make sure that your child is vaccinated on time as much as possible, even when something unexpected happens, such as the situation explained above.

VACCINATION FOR CHILDREN: POSSIBLE SIDE-EFFECTS

Like all medicines, no vaccine is completely free from side-effects. But do not discourage and instead of focusing on the side-effects, remember all the diseases your child is being protected against. Most children that take a vaccine won’t experience any side-effects. The small percentage that will, will experience commonly mild and short side effects.

It’s very rare for vaccines to result in serious and complicated outcomes, and don’t forget, much lower than the potential risks if your little kid falls ill with one of the diseases. Likewise, allergic reactions are also very rare and if your child gets one, the person who administered the vaccine is trained in how to deal with allergic reactions. The doctor will help your child recover with a specific treatment.

The most common side-effects of the vaccines include mild tenderness, redness or swelling at the injection site and fever. Your child might also feel a bit sleepy, irritable or experience a decrease in his or her appetite.

If your child gets a fever after having a vaccine and they seem uncomfortable, you can give them a dose of paracetamol, suck like Calpol to relieve his or her symptoms. Always follow the instructions given by your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist for how much to give.

REQUIRED VACCINATION FOR CHILDREN: 4 TO 10 YEARS OLD

DTaP Vaccine

The 4-in-1 vaccine, also known as the DTaP/IPV or DTaP/IPV vaccine, helps protect your child against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) and polio.

Diphtheria is a serious disease that usually begins with a sore throat and can quickly cause breathing problems. It can damage the heart and nervous system and, in severe cases, can kill. Diphtheria germs are spread from person to person through close contact.

Tetanus is a disease affecting the nervous system that can lead to muscle spasms, cause breathing problems, and even kill. It's caused when germs found in soil and manure get into the body through open cuts or burns. Tetanus can't be passed from person to person.

Whooping cough is a disease that can cause long bouts of coughing and choking, making it hard to breathe. Whooping cough can last for up to 10 weeks. Whooping cough germs can be spread from person to person through close contact.

Polio is a virus that attacks the nervous system and can cause permanent paralysis of the muscles. If it affects the chest muscles or brain, polio can kill. The poliovirus is usually spread from person to person, or by swallowing contaminated food or water.

The vaccine boosts the immunisations that were given to your child at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age. This vaccine is also given at the same time as the MMR vaccine.

MMR Vaccine

The MMR vaccine helps protect your child against measles, mumps, and rubella. Measles, mumps, and rubella are highly infectious diseases that can leave children suffering from serious medical complications. Fortunately, the high uptake of the MMR vaccine in Scotland means there's been a big reduction in the number of people catching these diseases.

This vaccine is given in 2 doses, one when your child is between 12 and 13 months and the other one at 4 years old.

Flu Vaccine

Also, an annual flu vaccine is recommended for all children under 9 years old. The flu vaccine is the safest and most effective way to help protect against the flu.

Covid Vaccine

The most recent of all vaccines, covid vaccination for children is currently being rolled out worldwide so stay updated.

I hope this guide has be instrumental in explaining the types and importance of vaccination for children.