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SOME MYTHS
ABOUT VACCINATION
Child is unwell
- vaccine should not be taken :
• Mild colds, coughs, mild fevers ,
diarrhea-vomiting - there is no reason to delay vaccination.
Child is weak or
malnourished - vaccination should be postponed :
• Is the child is born premature
- vaccines should be taken at the suggested dates without any
interruption.In weak, malnourished children the immunity of the body
is anyway low and they are even more prone to infections - vaccination
is especially important for these children.
If the vaccine
has not been taken at the correct age then it can not be taken at
all :
• If for some reason vaccination
has been delayed it does not at all mean that the vaccine can not be
taken.All the dates recommended are the lowest ages at which the
particular vaccine can be taken. In case of delay please do take the
vaccines and follow the same standard schedule. The only exception is
DPT vaccine - in case the child is over 2 years and DPT has not been
taken at all - then replace DPT with DT.
The gap between
2 doses can be adjusted as per convenience :
• In case of DPT / Polio and HIB
Meningitis ( the ones that need multiple dosing ) you may notice a gap
of 1 month has been recommended. This gap can not be reduced to less
than 1 month. On the other hand in case there has been a delay beyond
1 month - you may take the dose soon as possible. In no case does it
mean it that the previous dose has been wasted - no way does it mean a
repetition all over again.
What if the
child’s age has crossed the vaccination age :
• can all the vaccines be taken
at one sitting ? : Except MMR and Chickenpox - all other vaccines can
be taken at one sitting. Please do ensure using separate and
disposable syringes for all.
Vaccination
causes side effects - one should not take vaccines :
• Whatever side effects are
faced by you are negligible compared to the dangerous and possible
lethal outcome of the diseases. The only one that causes discomfort ,
crankiness and fever is the DPT vaccine - this too can be taken care
of by plain and simple Paracetamol.
At every injury
one must take Tetanus injection :
• In case the complete 3 dose
schedule of DPT has been taken and the Booster at 1.5 years has been
taken then the child is protected till 5 years age.There is thus no
need for any tetanus injection at these injuries. At 5 years age do
take the DT vaccine - your child is now protected for a further 5
years .
In case Measles
has erupted already - then I can avoid Measles vaccine :
• There are several fevers in children in which
eruptions like that of measles may appear on the body. In case you
feel your child has already had Measles - it is still wise to take
Measles vaccine.
At times disease
occurs even after vaccination - why vaccinate then ?
• Though all vaccines are effective they have
their limitations. There is no vaccine that gives 100% protection.
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