|
All
vaccines seek to operationalise an old wisdom
that PREVENTION
IS BETTER THAN CURE.
The vaccine is made from an antigen–substance
that stimulates the production of an antibody.
Antibodies are our body's defensive cells that
fight off an attack of any foreign substance–the
germs. The vaccine (other than the oral Polio
Vaccine) is injected into the human body. The
B cells in the blood respond to the antigen
by producing antibodies. The antibodies bind
to the antigen to neutralize or inactivate it.
In addition, memory cells are produced and remain
ready to mount a quick protective immune response,
if a child, any time in his/her life, is infected
by the same disease-causing agent.
The
Protection They Provide
Based
on the frequency, magnitude and lethality of
the various diseases, researchers have identified
certain diseases against which a child must
be protected by timely vaccination. These include
|
Vaccine
|
Protection
it provides
|
| HIB |
This
vaccine protects a child from the bacteria
that causes Meningitis–an inflammation
of the cover that surrounds the brain–and
may cause brain damage. This bacteria
can also infect the blood, joints, bones,
muscles, throat and the cover surrounding
the heart. This is especially dangerous
for babies.
|
| DTP |
This
is a three-in-one vaccine where D stands
for Diphtheria –an infection that attacks
the throat, mouth and nose; T for Tetanus–infection
caused by a bacteria found in dirt, gravel
and rusty metal. Tetanus bacteria causes
the muscles to go into a state of spasm
(move suddenly and involuntary). If tetanus
attacks the jaw muscle, it causes lockjaw–the
inability to open and close mouth. Tetanus
can also cause the breathing muscles to
spasm that can be fatal. In case a child
has not been vaccinated for DTP and gets
a cut, he/she must be rushed to a doctor
for getting Tetanus vaccine. P in DTP
stands for Pertussis–a bacteria that causes
Whooping Cough. It also make a child vulnerable
to other bacteria such as pneumonia and
bronchitis.
|
| POLIO |
Polio
can paralyze the legs and chest making
walking and breathing difficult or impossible.
The first symptoms of polio are fever,
headache and a stiff neck.
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| MMR |
The
first M in MMR vaccine stands for Measles–a
disease that causes high fever, cough
and a spotty rash all over the body. It
may also cause ear infection and pneumonia.
The second M in MMR stands for Mumps–that
causes painful swollen salivary glands
located under the jaw, as well as fever
and headache. Mumps also may cause a serious
problem Meningitis or hearing loss. The
R in MMR stands for Rubella. Also called
German Measles, it is most dangerous for
women who are pregnant. Rubella can cause
a mother to have a miscarriage, or deliver
a baby with heart disease, blindness,
hearing loss or learning problems.
|
| HEPATITIS-B |
Hepatitis-B
causes Jaundice that turns yellow
all the white parts of the body-eyes,
teeth and nail. In extreme case,
it may cause the liver to stop working.
|
| CHICKENPOX |
Chicken
pox is a viral disease that causes fever
and an itchy rash all over the body. Even
after being cured, it may disfigure the
face by leaving the pox marks. It is a
highly infectious disease.
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The
Immunization Chart
For Your Baby
The
Indian Academy of Pediatrics has evolved a chart
that recommends to parents a step by step programme
to protect their children against childhood
infection by adhering to the following Vaccination
Schedule:
|
AGE
|
VACCINATION
SCHEDULE
|
|
Birth
|
Oral
Polio Vaccine–First Dose
Hepatitis-B First Dose
|
|
6
weeks
|
DTP–First
Dose
Oral Polio Vaccine–Second Dose
Hepatitis-B– Second Dose
|
|
10
Weeks
|
DTP–Second
Dose
Oral Polio Vaccine–Third Dose
|
|
14
Weeks
|
DTP–Third
Dose
Oral Polio Vaccine–Fourth Dose
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6-9
Months
|
Oral
Polio Vaccine–Fifth Dose
Hepatitis-B– Third Dose
Vaccine for measles
|
|
15-18
Months
|
MMR
For Measles, Mumps and Rubella
DTP–First Booster Dose
Oral Polio Vaccine–Sixth Dose
|
|
5
Years
|
DTP–Second
Booster Dose
Oral Polio Vaccine–Seventh Dose
|
|
10
Years
|
DTP–Second
Booster Dose
Hepatitis -B Booster Dose
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|
15-16
Years
|
DTP–Fourth
Booster Dose
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Healing
Touch City Clinic has a separate wing-
Nurturingtouch
for
immunizing the children
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