Medical Insider – Dr. Ria P. Maslog 

Hemoptysis

Immunization

We are celebrating the World Immunization
Week April 24, 2023 to April 30, 2023. 

It is for this reason that I would like to
discuss again the topic on vaccines and their
importance. 

I am a general pediatrician and I am always
attending lectures and updates about 
vaccinations that is why i highly encourage
the parents of my clients to follow the 
recommended schedules of vaccinations.

The National Immunization Program aims to
reduce the morbidity and mortality among 
children against the most common vaccine
preventable diseases like tuberculosis,

poliomyelitis, diptheria, pertussis, tetanus
and measles.

A fully immunized child has received the
following vaccines:

1. BCG

• this is given at birth
• this vaccine protects against tuberculosis
• we should not forget that according to the
  World Health Organization, the Philippines 
  has the highest TB incidence rate in Asia
  with 554 cases for every 100,000 Filipinos.

1. Rotavirus Vaccine

• the infant should have received 2 or 3
  doses depending upon which brand is being
  used
• this vaccine will protect babies and young
  children against severe watery diarrhea that 
  could lead to dehydration and death

1. Diptheria
       Pertussis

    Tetanus

• a child should have received 3 doses of
  these vaccines before the first year of life
• diptheria causes infection in the nose,
  throat and tonsils that forms a membrane
  that may lead to death
• pertussis or whooping cough
• tetanus is an infection that may cause
  painful muscle spasms and contractions

1. Haemophilus influenza type b

• this bacteria causes serious infections like
  meningitis and pneumonia
• a child should receive 3 doses of Hib
  vaccine

1. Pneumococcal 13 vaccine

• this vaccine protects the child against the
  bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae that 
  may cause pneumonia, meningitis and
  sepsis
• a child should get 3 doses of this vaccine in
  the first year of life

1. Measles vaccine

• we all know that measles is one of the
  world’s most contagious disease that is
  spread by coughing or sneezing or by close
  personal and direct contact with infected
  nasal or throat secretions
• may present as cough, coryza and
  conjunctivitis
• may cause otitis media, pneumonia and
  meningitis
• a child must receive measles vaccine
  around 6 months of age then a dose of MMR
  after the first birthday and a booster dose at
  4-6 years old

1. Hepatitis B vaccine

• hepatitis B is a dangerous liver infection
• when caught as an infant often shows no
  symptoms for decades then will develop to
  cirrhosis and liver cancer later in life
• at birth, the newborn should receive a dose

of hepatitis b vaccine then succeeding 3
doses will be given at the right time

Other vaccines that are of importance
include:

1. Chickenpox vaccine that is given at 2
   doses after the first birthday and at 3 months
   after the first dose or at 4-6 years of age
2. Hepatitis A

• 2 doses at 6-12 months interval

1. Pneumo 23
2. Meningococcal vaccine
3. Typhoid vaccine
4. Japanese encephalitis vaccine
5. Flu vaccine that is given yearly

The parents are always reminded by their
pediatricians to bring their children for their
scheduled vaccinations and for the booster
doses of the vaccines. Yes, it is true that
most of the missed vaccine schedules are
due to financial reasons. But the benefit of

protection outweighs the cost of the
vaccines.

In my practice for the past 25 years as a
general pediatrician and advocate 
for vaccinations, i have seen that children
who are fully vaccinated seldom come to the
clinic being sick.

So, part of loving our children is protecting
them by giving them vaccines against
diseases. 

Love our children them! Protect them!
Immunize them!