Some vaccines are administered once, as they form a stable immunity, while the effect of others decreases over time, which is why revaccination is necessary - repeated administration of the same vaccine after a period of time that corresponds to the vaccination schedule.
Why do children need to be vaccinated?
Vaccines contain the same antigens (or parts of antigens) that cause the disease. For example, the measles vaccine contains the measles virus. But the antigens in vaccines are either killed or weakened to the point that they do not cause the disease. However, they are strong enough to cause the immune system to start producing antibodies. In other words, a vaccine is a safer substitute for a child’s first exposure to the disease. Thanks to vaccination, children can develop immunity without suffering from the actual diseases that the vaccine prevents.
Should children be vaccinated?
Children are most often affected by dangerous infectious diseases. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent infectious diseases in children in the world. Thanks to vaccinations, we managed to stop the smallpox epidemic, the spread of polio, diphtheria and other serious infectious diseases. Infectious diseases are very dangerous, they can cause complications, disability, and some - death.
What vaccinations are mandatory?
For the best protection against diseases, a child should be vaccinated on time, starting at 1-2 months of age, and follow the recommended schedule as closely as possible (with a vaccination calendar up to a year).
What vaccinations are given to children under one year old?
Hepatitis B vaccination.
Hepatitis B is an acute viral liver disease that is difficult to treat and often becomes chronic. A child can catch hepatitis from the mother during childbirth, as well as during a blood transfusion, a visit to the dentist, surgery, etc. Vaccination is done within 12 hours after birth, and then at 1 and 6 months of life.
BCG vaccination.
It is necessary to vaccinate a child against tuberculosis in the maternity hospital, on the 3-5th day after birth, because if this is not done, the primary infection with mycobacteria threatens the disease. Actually, BCG provides anti-tuberculosis immunity, which protects the child's body from the disease during the primary and subsequent contacts with mycobacterium tuberculosis, and also prevents the development of generalized forms of tuberculosis, if the disease still develops later.
Already in the second month, the child is vaccinated against 5 infections: DPT vaccination (against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus), polio, and hemophilic infection.
PDA vaccination.
At one year of age, a child is recommended to receive the MMR vaccine: measles, rubella, and mumps (mumps) vaccine. Measles is an acute infectious disease that is not at all harmless. Yes, this disease is still one of the leading causes of death among young children worldwide. Rubella and mumps are no less dangerous. Mumps, for example, often cause serious hearing impairment, nervous system dysfunction, reproductive function, etc.
Diphtheria vaccination.
Diphtheria is an infectious disease of the oropharynx caused by the Loeffler bacillus, transmitted by airborne droplets. Complications of diphtheria include myocarditis (infection of the heart muscle), paralysis of the soft palate, neck muscles, vocal cords, respiratory tract, and extremities.
Tetanus vaccination.
Tetanus is caused by anaerobic bacteria – clostridia, which when entering the body through wounds (cuts, punctures, burns, bites) act on the nervous system, causing severe convulsions. Asphyxia, paralysis of the heart and breathing can occur as a result of convulsions. Mortality from tetanus even today reaches 25-80%.
Vaccination against Whooping Cough.
Whooping cough is the most dangerous infection for children under 2 years old. This disease is caused by Bordet-Jean bacteria, which are transmitted through the air. The disease manifests itself as a «barking», spasmodic cough, which is very often complicated by pneumonia, convulsions and encephalopathy. What is noteworthy, the innate immunity, due to maternal antibodies, does not develop in the child!
Vaccination against Polio.
Just 65 years ago, polio was a real sentence for children, causing spinal paralysis. Only thanks to the efforts of WHO and other organizations has the disease been almost eradicated through vaccination (the number of cases has decreased by more than 991%.
Vaccination against Hib infection.
Haemophilus influenzae is a group of acute conditions caused by Haemophilus influenzae. Children under 2 years of age are particularly susceptible to the pathogen. Transmitted by airborne droplets, Haemophilus influenzae causes purulent meningitis, pneumonia, sepsis, inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue and other dangerous pathologies.
Vaccination is necessary to protect your child!
By refusing vaccination, you are risking the health and life of your child!
Epidemiologist of the epidemiological surveillance department
(surveillance) and prevention of infectious diseases
Chuhuyiv branch of the State Institution "Kharkiv Central Regional Center for the Prevention of Diseases of the Ministry of Health" Valery BUDIONNY