Vaccinations are quite a hot topic of debate these days. These vaccinations may seem overwhelming and daunting for your child if you are a new parent. These can help protect your child from various deadly diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, and polio. Not only this, they even help keep other children safe by immensely decreasing or eliminating dangerous diseases that can be spread through contact with an infected child.
It is important to know what exactly a vaccine is in order to understand what it does. It is a weakened or dead version of the germ, or a part of it, that causes the disease in question. The immune system of the patient starts fighting against this disease that is in the form of the vaccine in order to build up antibodies. These antibodies later protect the patient from contracting the disease when they are exposed to it in real life.
There might be a few side effects involved in taking a vaccine but the pros definitely outweigh the cons. Most schools require that your kid should be vaccinated, along with proof that can go into their school file. There are a few vaccines that are quite important, which is why we have curated a list of valuable vaccines.
Varicella or chickenpox vaccine
The chickenpox infection is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It can turn up as an itchy rash that has small fluid-filled blisters. This is one disease that is highly contagious. You must remember catching chickenpox when you were little. Many parents used to actually send their kids to the playground to play with an infected child since chickenpox gets worse as you age.
If you catch chickenpox as an adult, it can be quite serious and have many complications. It is easier to actually get the vaccine instead of getting the disease. Even if your child does catch chickenpox after the vaccine, it will not affect them as much. This disease doesn’t usually cause problems, but in some cases, it can even lead to pneumonia.
Minor problems caused by chickenpox are scars on your skin. According to experts, children should get at least two doses of the vaccine. Side effects of this include rashes, fever, and soreness around the injection site.
Rotavirus vaccine
One of the most contagious viruses out there, rotavirus can lead to severe diarrhea in young children and infants. This virus causes more than one-third of the 500,000 deaths caused by diarrheal diseases each year, according to PATH. This often causes fever and vomiting, it can even lead to death or severe dehydration if it is not treated in time.
More than thousands of kids are hospitalized each year due to this virus. Experts recommend vaccination in order to avoid this highly contagious disease. You can take either two or three doses of this vaccine, depending on your healthcare practitioner. Be sure to ask them about possible interactions with serious allergies, if your child has any.
Hepatitis A vaccine
The hepatitis A virus can cause an acute liver disease called hepatitis A. These symptoms can last for months, or even just a few days. This does not develop into a chronic disease but can be debilitating for a few months. Your child can experience stomach pain, nausea, and even jaundice if they contract this.
Experts recommend getting your child this vaccine as soon as they turn one. The second shot should be given after six months. This vaccine is also recommended for adults if they are traveling to certain countries. The vaccine may cause side effects such as soreness, headaches, tiredness, and even a loss of appetite.
Polio vaccine
One of the most important vaccines that your child should get is the polio vaccination. Poliomyelitis is a severe condition that can affect your spinal cord and brain, leading to paralysis. This is contagious and can spread fast from person to person. Since 1995, we have had polio vaccinations that have helped almost eradicate the disease. This is why it is recommended for all children. Your child can either take the oral vaccine or the inactivated one. This can cause a few side effects such as mild fever along with redness near the injection site.
HPV Vaccine
The HPV vaccine is quite important since it can help prevent cervical cancer.
If a woman or a girl is exposed to this virus, it can help prevent issues. These vaccinations can also help in preventing anal cancer in both men and women. This vaccine should be given as early as the age of nine. This is something that you should get before your child starts having sexual contact since this mainly spreads through it. Receiving this early does not mean that your children will start sexual activity sooner, it is just an added layer of protection for your child.
Tdap booster
These booster shots are a combination of shots that help protect children and adults against three diseases. These shots are specifically given for tetanus, a disease that attacks the nervous system, diphtheria, an infection caused in the throat and nose, and pertussis, also known as whooping cough. These booster shots have helped decrease the cases of these diseases by roughly 80%. A single dose is enough for reducing the risk of these issues. Your child may feel body aches, tiredness, and develop a mild fever after this vaccination.
Meningococcal vaccine
Meningitis is caused by a serious bacterial illness called meningococcal disease. This inflames the protective layer that surrounds the spinal cord and the brain. It can cause sepsis and even a bloodstream infection. Children who live in close quarters with others, inhale secondhand smoke, or share utensils with an infected person can develop this quite easily. It is also spread through kissing, which is a problem during the teenage years.
Children that are aged 11-16 should get at least two doses of this vaccine. Some colleges and universities even require their students to get this vaccination before moving to the campus. There are mild side effects of this vaccine such as soreness, fatigue, and headache.
MMR vaccine
The MMR vaccine helps prevent mumps, rubella, and measles. This vaccine is considered to be a huge development to prevent these dangerous diseases. These diseases can cause serious health complications, or worse, even death. Two doses of MMR vaccine are given to children, with a gap of almost two years. If this is not possible, make sure that you keep a gap of at least 28 days. If you are taking your child for international travel, their vaccine should be done before 11 months of age.
Getting your child vaccinated is a vital thing to do. Read up on what vaccines are needed for your children.
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