Vaccinations are extremely important for the health and well-being of a child. Parents are often sceptical about getting their child vaccinated, which is partly due to the fact that they have very little familiarity with the devastating effects of a vaccine-preventable illness. Childhood vaccination is a topic that involves various opinions. Doctors and medical professionals recommend getting all children vaccinated as per the established vaccination schedules because vaccinations provide immunity against infectious and life-threatening diseases. Vaccinations build a child’s immune system and make their body strong enough to fight against certain infectious diseases.
Vaccinating one child protects the society at large from being affected by a disease. Vaccinations have a 360degree impact where it helps prevent the disease from spreading to those who cannot be vaccinated, like aged people who are unable to be vaccinated given a particular condition. The long term effects of having your child immunised are much greater than developing a serious health condition.
Every country’s health policy maker certain vaccinations mandatory and others voluntary. In Dubai (UAE), The Dubai Health Authority and the Ministry of Health decided on the Immunisation policies. As per the Childhood Immunization and National Immunization Program, the single and combined dose vaccinations recommended by the DHA are BCG at birth, DPWhy T vaccine is a combination of vaccinations against three diseases; Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus from the age of 2 months till the child is 18 months old, Hepatitis B from birth till the child is 6 months old, Polio from 2months till the child is 5 years old, Pneumococcal from 2 month till 18 months, Measles, Mumps and Rubella at 1 and 5 years of age, Varicella vaccine (chicken pox) for which a total of two doses are recommended for all children. All the hospitals licensed under the DHA are expected to follow these rules and regulations.
Immunisation is the safest, easiest and most effective way to prevent infectious diseases from spreading and passing on from person to person. Parents always want to do the best for their children but opt out of vaccinating them because of the lack of awareness about how their act can cause a rise in the outbreak of vaccine-preventable diseases.
Immunisations are the success stories of modern medicine. Vaccinations protect our present and our future. Vaccinations are essential for children and adults. Parents need to realise how various infectious and deadly disease have been completely eradicated or are rather rare now because most people are vaccinated against them. A specialist will always recommend having your child vaccinated as per the designated time and schedule, as delaying or missing a vaccination, makes the child vulnerable and prone to a disease. Parents must voice any concerns regarding vaccinations to their child’s paediatrician who will advise the best treatment suitable for the child.
GP in Paediatrics & Neonatology
Aster Hospital Mankhool