Vaccination or Immunization can be an overwhelming concept for new parents and you must know about it in detail. The process of vaccination do not only help your child by saving him/her from life-threatening diseases like tetanus, polio, and diphtheria but also prevents other children from getting it as many diseases spread from one child to another. This article consists of the details about vaccination and the vaccines that must be taken by your child in order to live a healthy and long life.
A vaccine is a biological preparation that enhances or facilitates the acquired immunity of a person against a certain diseases. The vaccine consists of dead or weakened microbe, or surface proteins or its toxin which is responsible for causing that particular disease or infection when in actual state. When this dead or weakened microbe is introduced into the body our body recognizes it as the disease-causing agent and destroys it by making the antibodies (army) against it.
So when in the future, that particular child comes in contact with the real version of that bacteria or virus our body already knows about it and kills it at the initial level, hence preventing the body from any kind of disease or agent. Over the years, there have been made many allegations against this vaccination system and blamed for because of increasing cases of autism and other diseases. However never any convincing proof has been produced to support it. That’s why still the vaccination is considered as the safest way to prevent children against many deadly diseases. The benefits of vaccination outweighs the side effects of it.
Your child will receive most of the vaccines from birth up to the age of 6 years. You must keep a record of your child’s vaccination, however, must be given a card for that. Some hospitals or doctors also keep these records but never rely on them to keep it yourself as many times doctors or hospitals are changed and hence the record can be lost.
Even today in India after so much awareness creating programs many children are found to miss their immunization. In India, even paramedics go from door to door to give some of this vaccination like that of polio, which has helped a lot more to cover an area of the people (mainly the uneducated and underprivileged) who do not take initiative for their child vaccination.
There are three main vaccines that your child should not miss at any cost.
1. OPV or Oral Polio Vaccine
Polio or Poliomyelitis is caused by Poliovirus. It is a highly infectious disease that invades the nervous system and can lead to paralysis and death even in a few hours. This explains the seriousness of this infectious condition. Children below the age of 5 years are vaccinated in order to prevent polio. OPV is the most critical vaccine in India and many programs are organized by the government to vaccinate the children door to door to administer the vaccine.
All the children below 5 years are given this vaccine in India in these programs every time the camp is organized as there is no risk of overdosing. However, with every dose the immunity enhances further against the infection, and surety with every dose increases more.
2. MMR or Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine
You can figure out from the name itself that this vaccine gives immunity against measles, mumps, and rubella or also known as German measles. This monovalent vaccine is given after the age of nine months and the second dose is repeated from 12-15 months of age. Generally, no side effects are seen of this vaccine, only 10% of children have been reported of having fever, rashes, and malaise after the first vaccination. This reaction is seen due to the presence of reagent in the vaccine which is similar to the disease-causing agent.
3. Hepatitis B vaccine
The Hepatitis B Infection has covered a large number of population worldwide and is also a leading cause of Liver cancer throughout the world. So the Hepatitis B vaccine is also known as the first anti-cancer vaccine. Hepatitis B is one of the commonest and life-threatening infections of the liver hence the vaccine for it should not be missed. This vaccine is usually given in the 2-4 shots and the first dose is given at birth and other shots should be given within the age of 6 months.
Other than these three important vaccines there are other vaccines as well which your child should receive in order to prevent certain prevailing infections and diseases
1. Rotavirus vaccine
This vaccine is given to prevent the rotavirus infection in children which is the cause of severe diarrhea in infants or young children
2. Pneumococcal vaccine
Streptococcus pneumonia is the causative agent of life-threatening conditions in infants like pneumonia, meningitis, and ear infections in children. Pneumococcal vaccine is given to provide immunity against these diseases.
3. Varicella vaccine
Chickenpox is very common among children and this vaccine provides immunity against this highly infectious condition.
4. HPV vaccine
Human papillomavirus is the very commonly affecting virus that causes mucous membranes and skin growth like warts.
Ayurvedic perspective of vaccination
After talking about the Vaccination concept let’s have a look at the Ayurvedic perspective of vaccination. Ayurveda in itself does not have an exact vaccination but there is a tonic which can help in boosting immunity when administering to the children. This tonic is known as Swarna Prashana which might be a good option to enhance immunity however it is not an alternative for vaccination.
Method for preparation
Take 1 part of ghee with two parts of honey and gold bhasam of just one needle head quantity. Honey should be at least 2 months aged and unheated and bhasam of gold should be of the best quality.
However, till now the vaccination is the only mode of prevention from various dangerous diseases and your child must not miss it. As it is very well said that the best physician is the one educating the masses regarding the prevention of the diseases rather than focusing on giving medicines for the diseases.