Names and Trends -

 by: Michelle Higgins

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

Immunizations/vaccinations protect your baby from serious and some life-threatening illnesses. They boost your baby's immunity and help her make antibodies to combat infections.

Some vaccination myths busted

If all the children in his school are immunized, my child cannot get sick.

The chances of acquiring an infection are reduced if everyone else is immunized. But imagine what would happen if everyone had the same bright idea! Protect your child with a shot and help prevent the spread of disease as well.

Vaccines often cause the diseases they are supposed to prevent!

Vaccines are prepared using killed or weakened germs to prepare your child respond to the 'real' ones. Vaccine-induced disease is extremely rare.

My baby need not be vaccinated against the diseases, which are uncommon in my geographical region.

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

Too many shots will overburden my baby's immune system.

A normal baby's immune system is equipped to handle vaccines as well as the natural microbes she is exposed to everyday.

ABC of baby's first shots

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 'lock-jaw' and Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough.

Three common infections Measles, Mumps and Rubella (German Measles) are taken care of by the MMR vaccine.

Hib vaccine prevents meningitis, a serious infection of the membranes covering the brain caused by a bug called Haemophilus influenzae (Type b).

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

You need to vaccinate your child against Hepatitis B (Hep B vaccine), a viral infection that can cause chronic liver diseases like cirrhosis and liver cancer.   (continued...)

Ouch! Baby's First Shots
  Page 2