World Immunization Day: Why are Immunization Vaccines so Important For Children?

Vaccination provides protection to children by boosting their immunity. It also helps them grow into healthy adults. November 10 is World Immunization Day and creates awareness among people about the importance of vaccination [1]. With an immunization vaccine, children can beat several infectious diseases.

Immunization enhances your children’s immune mechanism with the help of a vaccine. By increasing immunity, you can make them resistant against a particular disease. Remember to get an immunization vaccine for baby right after birth. You can refer to a baby vaccine chart to understand which one needs to be given at what age. 

According to the WHO, immunization programs prevent around 2-3 million deaths per year due to diseases like:

• Influenza

• Measles

• Diphtheria

• Tetanus

To understand how vaccines protect children from harmful diseases, read on.

Additional read: Human Immune System: What are the Major Components of the Immune System?

What Are Vaccines and How Do They Protect Your Child?

Vaccines come in the form of:

• nasal sprays

• injections

• pills

All these help your children defend themselves against harmful pathogens. They also teach their immune system to identify foreign substances. There are different types of vaccines, some of which are as follows [2].

• Subunit vaccines

• Inactivated vaccines

• Toxoid vaccines

• mRNA vaccines

• Live-attenuated vaccines

Vaccination stimulates your kids’ immune mechanism so they can fight infectious diseases. It works by creating an immune response towards certain diseases. When their immune system identifies the pathogen, it recognizes and destroys it. If the same pathogen enters their body again, it will identify and attack it.

Vaccines are safe as they are approved only after undergoing rigorous clinical trials. Only those vaccines that meet safety and quality standards are given to children. To understand different types of vaccinations, you can refer to the world vaccination chart. This chart also explains what kind of vaccine your baby needs at a particular age.

Additional read: What is Immunity? A Guide to How the Immune System Works

Why Do Children Need to Be Vaccinated?

Vaccines prevent various diseases and thus save millions of lives. Reports estimate that around 21 million deaths were prevented between 2000 and 2017 thanks to the measles vaccination [3]. Remember, the immunity levels in babies are comparatively low. So, vaccinating your children is necessary to protect them. There are chances that contagious diseases like polio and diphtheria, which have been eradicated, may reoccur. During this time, babies who aren’t vaccinated are more vulnerable.

What Are the Different Childhood Illnesses That Vaccines Have Prevented?

Vaccination has prevented childhood diseases such as the following.

• Polio caused by poliovirus that results in paralysis

• Influenza caused by influenza virus that affects respiratory system

• Hepatitis B that spreads through body fluids or blood from one individual to another

• Tetanus caused by a certain bacteria that enters the body through cuts or wounds

• Rubella that spreads by sneezing and coughing

• Measles, which is highly contagious for young children

• Whooping cough causes persistent and uncontrollable coughs in children

• Pneumococcal diseases that cause sinus and ear infections in kids

• Mumps with symptoms like swollen jaw and puffy cheeks

• Chickenpox causes fever and itchy rashes

• Diphtheria can cause heart failure or even death in kids

Can You Delay a Vaccination for Your Child?

Vaccine schedule should never be delayed and should be given at the appropriate age. The more you delay vaccination, the more vulnerable your child is to diseases. Vaccines strengthen your kid’s natural immunity. They also protect the community by reducing the chances of disease transmission. However, you may delay vaccination shots for your children for the following reasons.

• Allergic reaction to a previous immunization shot

• High fever

• Allergies in body after consuming certain foods

• History of fits

• Cancer that affects immune system

Post vaccination, your child may develop minor fever, redness or swelling at the point where shot was administered. However, this does not last for long.

As you can see, vaccination is an effective way to provide kids with protection against infectious diseases. By observing World Immunization Day and educating others about it, you can play an important part in this process. Getting vaccinated at the right time is also essential. Check your baby’s immunization schedule regularly so that you don’t miss out. Use the vaccination reminder on Bajaj Finserv Health and talk to pediatricians for any symptoms related to your child. Book an appointment with a specialist close to you and get your baby vaccinated on time.