Posted on June 29, 2009 in latest news
Childhood immunizations are a very important part of a child’s health program. Ignoring immunizations might lead to serious consequences.
In the U.S, there is a schedule according to which a child is vaccinated against various diseases.
These are the diseases which are vaccine preventable in childhood
- Diphtheria
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Influenza
- Measles
- Meningococcal
- Mumps
- Pertussis (whooping cough)
- Pneumococcal disease
- Polio
- Rotavirus (severe diarrhea)
- Rubella (German measles)
- Tetanus (lockjaw)
- Varicella (chickenpox)
How vaccines work
Every child is born with a complete immune system. This immune system produces antibodies, which attack any harmful foreign particles entering the body. These antibodies usually die after doing their work, but leave behind cells which produce them. These are called memory cells. So, the next time the same foreign particle enters the body, these memory cells swing into action immediately. This results in a faster and more efficient destruction of these foreign particles.
When a disease causing organism attacks a child’s body for the first time, the body is not able to respond quickly. The organisms will do their damage before the body can react.
A vaccine consists of weakened or dead disease causing microbes. These do not harm the body, but stimulate the body to produce antibodies. These antibodies leave behind memory cells. Thus the next time, when real microbes attack the body, the body will produce antibodies immediately and prevent the microbes from doing any damage.
Importance of vaccinations
- It is because of a good vaccination program that the U.S and many other countries have been able to eradicate or reduce the incidence of many diseases.
- Vaccinations are completely safe. They may give small side effects to some children, but these are inconsequential when you consider the damage the disease itself can cause.
- Prevention is always better than cure. So do not ignore vaccinations.
- Childhood immunizations are important for a healthy country. They save future medical expenses, save parents’ time which they would have to spend with their child if they got sick and ensure a healthy future workforce.
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August 29th, 2009 at 8:07 am
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