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:
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- Haemophilus influenza type b
- this bacteria causes serious infections like
meningitis and pneumonia - a child should receive 3 doses of Hib
vaccine
- 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
- 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
- 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:
- 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 - Hepatitis A
- 2 doses at 6-12 months interval
- Pneumo 23
- Meningococcal vaccine
- Typhoid vaccine
- Japanese encephalitis vaccine
- 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!