What are vaccinations?
Vaccinations (Vaccines) protect your child against serious diseases by stimulating the immune system to create antibodies against certain bacteria or viruses. Most vaccinations are given as injections. Some vaccines may be administered orally as well.
Why should I vaccinate my child?
Vaccines protect against many life-threatening illnesses like measles, mumps, rubella, tuberculosis, hepatitis B, hepatitis A, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), Hib disease, Chickenpox, and pneumococcal diseases. Vaccines cannot protect children from illnesses like the common cold and cough but can keep children safe from various serious diseases.
Are vaccinations safe?
Vaccines are safe and researchers continually work to make sure they become even safer. Every vaccine undergoes many tests before being licensed, and its safety continues to be monitored as long as the vaccine is in use. Most side effects from vaccines are minor and do not last long, or are treatable. The risks associated with vaccines are infinitely less than the risk of contracting a dangerous disease that a vaccine would have prevented.
What are the common side effects of vaccines?
Children may experience fussiness, fever, and pain after they have been vaccinated. After vaccination, give your child plenty of fluids, and do not cover or wrap your child tightly. Use paracetamol under your doctor’s guidance; do not give aspirin. If more serious symptoms occur, visit your child’s doctor right away. These symptoms may include:
- A large area of redness and swelling around the area where the injection was given
- High fever
- If the child is pale or limp or has been crying incessantly for several minutes and/or has convulsions
When should I vaccinate my baby?
Immunization of a baby starts at birth and the majority of it is completed by 2 years of age. A detailed immunization schedule is given below
Government Immunization Schedule
Recommended Immunization Schedule
What if my child has missed some vaccines? Is it too late to get vaccinated?
Although it is best to have your baby vaccinated as an infant, it is never too late to start. If your child has not received any or all of his/her shots, now is the best time to start. Please consult a pediatrician for detailed information.
Writer details:
Dr. Vivek Todi is a Senior Consultant Pediatrician and Pediatric Nephrologist at Ninos Baby Wellness Centre and Norvic International Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal. He is also the founder of Ninos Baby Wellness Centre. He post-graduated in Pediatrics from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, and specialized in Pediatric Nephrology, Dialysis, and Kidney Transplantation from National University Hospital, NUS, Singapore. He has clinical, academic, and research experience for more than a decade serving children in Nepal. He has a special interest in Kidney diseases, Dialysis, and Transplantation in Children.
