Delayed Vaccination Can Increase Risk – Are You Making This Mistake?

35% of children drop out at the preschool age for the booster shot. Are you exposing your child to life-threatening diseases instead of vaccinating them? #DontWaitVaccinate
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India and the rest of the world are currently dealing with an unprecedented health emergency – a pandemic which has taken the world by storm. The COVID 19 pandemic has everyone scared and staying at home. While that is the need of the hour to contain the spread of infection, there is another issue brewing on the health front.

 

Various routine immunizations have been impacted due to the lockdown and the fear of venturing out. This has led to delayed immunization.  The delay in immunization will affect lakhs of children as they may be unvaccinated/partially vaccinated for life-threatening diseases. At a time when the entire healthcare sector is primarily focused on containment of COVID-19, there is grave looming concern over an outbreak for vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) due to delayed vaccinations.

 

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is a reminder of the importance of vaccination. This decline in routine paediatric visits for vaccination could result in the community facing an increased risk for outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.

 

What Is A Vaccine?

 

The Stanford Children’s Health Organization defines a vaccine as

‘a dead, or weakened version, or part of the germ that causes the disease in question. When children are exposed to a disease in vaccine form, their immune system, which is the body’s germ-fighting machine, can build up antibodies that protect them from contracting the disease if and when they are exposed to the actual disease.

Vaccinations not only protect your child from deadly diseases, such as polio, tetanus, pertussis and diphtheria, but they also keep other children safe by eliminating or greatly decreasing dangerous diseases that spread from child to child.

 

As parents, we are all concerned about potentially exposing our children to COVID-19 – especially during a visit to the doctor. However, it is extremely important for parents to know that timely immunization is vital to protect their children against serious vaccine-preventable diseases, even as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

 

Most of your child’s vaccinations are completed between birth and 6 years. Many vaccines are given more than once, at different ages, and in combinations. This means that you’ll need to keep a careful record of your child’s shots.

 

Are You Making This Mistake?

 

However, it has been noticed that after the age of 2 years, most children do not visit their paediatricians for vaccines. Most parents are aware of and opt for vaccinations till the age of 2 years, after which the perception is that there is no more need to vaccinate.

 

Did you know

That 35% children drop out at the pre-school age for the booster shot. The numbers go further down by adolescent age.

 

Why This Thought:

 

These vaccines are not mandatory but recommended, and amidst this lockdown, parents will not go and ask for the same. Currently, due to COVID-19 and social distancing, it is assumed that preschoolers and adolescent kids are safe at home with minimal socializing and therefore no urgency for booster vaccinations. But the fact of the matter is that they are already reservoirs of these infectious agents and can pass it to their younger siblings and older grandparents. Diphtheria, tetanus and Pertussis are highly contagious and require regular immunity-boosting to maintain herd immunity in these social groups. 

 

What people are not realizing is that as and when social distancing requirements are relaxed, children who are not protected by vaccines will be more vulnerable to diseases.

 

What They Need To Know

  • Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (Whooping Cough) are highly contagious and require regular immunity-boosting in children of all ages. 
  • Preschool and adolescence are two crucial stages in a child’s life wherein Booster Vaccination for DTP is a must. 
  • In a lockdown-like situation, preschoolers and adolescents are already reservoirs of infectious diseases and can pass them on to younger siblings and elderly grandparents.

Why Are DTP Booster Vaccines Important

  • DTP vaccines are needed to prevent 3 serious infectious diseases – Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (also known as whooping cough). These vaccines are recommended by the Indian Association of Pediatrics (IAP) and the WHO and CDC health authorities.
  • Diphtheria and Pertussis are contagious and can result in respiratory problems. These have proven to be fatal in babies (who do not have a well-developed immune system yet) and older adults who have reduced immune response.
  • Tetanus is also a deadly disease for which routine vaccination is a must to prevent fatal outcomes post injuries.

When Should The Vaccines Be Given?

 

  • Primary DTP vaccinations are given in a 3 dose series at 6 weeks, 10 weeks and 14 weeks of age and then a mandatory single-dose booster DTP vaccine (booster dose 1) at 15-18 months of age.
  • Preschool Booster dose 2 of DTP are given next at age 4-6 years
  • Adolescent Booster dose 3 of DTP is then recommended by age 9-13 years

Did You Know Adolescents Need Booster Shots? 

 

As kids get to the adolescent stage they enter a period of growth. This is the time their immune system requires another boost for DTP. Their activity and socializing levels increase many folds and hence adequate boosting of protection through vaccination become critical. Immunity wanes over a period of time and this age group can cause infections amongst their younger siblings and grandparents. Regular DTP booster shot is recommended every 7-10 years post-adolescence and even for adults. Boosting immunity throughout life is essential to prevent these diseases.

 

As parents, do not delay taking your child for their vaccinations. Their health and immunity are extremely fragile at this stage. Use this time to build it. It’s time to Listen to the Child’s Immunity Alarm and that’s why #DontWaitVaccinate.

 

This article is in association with Sanofi. Click here to know more – https://bit.ly/32vDZj2

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