• June 8, 2021

Oh! Baby’s first shots

Now that your bundle of joy has arrived, it is your responsibility to keep it safe and healthy.

Immunizations / shots protect your baby from serious and life-threatening illnesses. They boost your baby’s immunity and help him make antibodies to fight infection.

Some myths about vaccination busted

If all the children in your school are vaccinated, my child cannot get sick.

The chances of getting an infection are reduced if everyone else is immunized. But imagine what would happen if everyone had the same brilliant idea! Protect your child with a vaccine and help prevent the spread of disease, too.

Vaccines often cause the diseases they are supposed to prevent.

Vaccines are made using dead or weakened germs to prepare your child to respond to the “real” ones. Vaccine-induced disease is extremely rare.

My baby does not need to be vaccinated against the diseases, which are rare in my geographic region.

Germs know no geographic boundaries. They can spread through travel and immigration. If your child is not protected against a particular disease, he can catch it if he is exposed to germs.

Too many vaccines will overload my baby’s immune system.

The immune system of a normal baby is equipped to handle the vaccines and natural microbes it is exposed to every day.

ABCs of Baby’s First Injections

The DTaP vaccine defends your child against three diseases: diphtheria, an infection that blocks the airways and can affect the heart and nerves, tetanus or ‘jaw lock’, and whooping cough, commonly known as whooping cough.

The MMR vaccine addresses three common infections: measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles).

The Hib vaccine prevents meningitis, a serious infection of the lining of the brain caused by an insect called Haemophilus influenzae (type b).

The PCV vaccine protects your child from pneumonia, meningitis, and other serious infections that can be caused by another Pneumococcus germ.

You should vaccinate your child against hepatitis B (hepatitis B vaccine), a viral infection that can cause chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Polio, an infection with serious complications such as paralysis, can be noticed by the IPV vaccine or oral polio drops.

Your child may also receive the chickenpox vaccine and annual flu shots to fight the flu.

Confirm the vaccination schedule with your doctor, as it may vary in different countries. Keep a vaccination card so your baby knows what vaccine to get and when. Marking those important dates on your calendar ensures you don’t forget them.

You will also need this record when you enroll your child in daycare or school.

What about the side effects of immunization?

Most babies will have only minor side effects from immunization such as fever, injection site pain, or mild rash. An ice pack applied to the site will reduce the swelling. Your doctor may prescribe acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce fever and pain.

Serious allergic reactions are very rare and occur minutes to hours after the injection. Call your doctor immediately if you notice any shortness of breath, wheezing, fainting, weakness, hives, or excessive crying.

Vaccinations can be an unpleasant experience for your baby (even more so for you), but a few tears now will go a long way in keeping him healthy throughout his life.

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