Immunizations

How do they work and what vaccines should my baby have?

Do not wait until your baby gets sick or brought to the hospital. It is important to protect your baby from deadly diseases. Every newborn should get his first shot to prevent any viruses and bacteria from harming your baby. Immunization is the best defense for your baby. It is also the most cost effective preventive medical  measure to help a child grow healthy and free from sickness and disease. 

Vaccinate your child when they are 2 years old to immunize them from serious infections that may lead to diseases, disabilities, and to fatality. These kinds of diseases can attack thousands of babies and children every year.

Nowadays, there are some similarly few cases, but there are times that breakouts occur every year because most parents do not immunize their babies with the right vaccines. Here are some diseases that spread out when bacteria and viruses are passed on through oral and breathing interaction with others.

1. Toxins cause tetanus or lockjaw from bacteria that enter the body through open wounds and cuts. This disease can lead to serious painful spasms of the muscles and may cause the locking of the jaw. A person cannot open or use his mouth to breathe and eat. You may immunize your child with anti tetanus vaccines such as the (DPT). This vaccine can be injected to babies who are age 2 months old. Once he reaches four months old, he will be given the second shot.  Then the third shot will be on his sixth month, and lastly when he is 12 to 15 months old. 

2. Rubella or German measles usually occurs in young children when a certain virus causes slight fever, tonsillitis and rashes that last from two to three days. You may immunize your baby when he is 1 year old to 15 months. Only one shot is required to immunizee him from having this kind of disease.

3. Hepatitis B is an infection caused by a virus to the liver of a person. You may acquire Hepatitis through blood transfusion and liquid contact from another person with Hepatitis. It can also be acquired through sexual intercourse or by sharing the same toothbrush or spoon of the person infected. You may immunize your baby with three shots of vaccinations when he is newly born, the next shot will be given when he is 1 to 4 months old and the last shot will be given when once he reaches 6 to 18 months.

4. Mumps are caused by viruses that can cause fever, tonsillitis, and headaches. Children who have mumps are prone to develop mild meningitis. It can also lead to encephalitis or the inflammation of the brain. There are also cases that a person may permanently lose his hearing. Immunize your child with MMR vaccines when he is 12 to 15 months old.

5. Polio is caused by a virus that you may acquire from feces of a person infected with the virus. Signs of polio include headache, sudden fever, muscle stiffness, and sore throat. Polio may lead to paralysis and could also be fatal. Immunize your child with three shots of anti polio vaccines. Vaccinate him when he reaches 2 months old, the next shot will be given when he is on his fourth month and the last shot will be given on his sixth to eighteenth months.

6. Hib Meningitis or the Haemophilus influenza type B is acquired from a virus that causes infection to the blood, bones, heart ailments, and pneumonia. This disease can be fatal to children who are at least five years old and below. Immunize your baby with three to four shots of anti Hib vaccines when your baby is 2, 4, and 6 months old and the last shot will be given when he is 12 to 15 months old.

Babies and infants need vaccinations to protect them from harmful diseases. Statistics show that children who are not vaccinated with the proper immunization become prone to certain diseases. Many of these cases result in the death of many babies. Bring your baby to the nearest health care center or hospital so that they will be provided with the right immunization. Seven shots of vaccines should be given to him by the time he reaches two years old.