
The immune system is our body’s natural defence system against infections that try to invade the body. If we are to borrow a leaf from technology we could say that our immune system keeps a database of all the infections it encounters so that it reacts more quickly and efficiently in all subsequent attacks.
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Vaccination is a great way of updating this database with other identities of various infections that the body may be prone to. Your baby needs to be protected against all the known infections that can attack them during their formative years when the body’s defences are still tender.
Diseases that threaten your baby can come from the environment and also be transmitted by people who are in constant contact with the baby, including you and your spouse. It is therefore important to understand that vaccination applies to both the child as well as parents. As a father, you are tasked with helping your partner in making the ultimate decision on whether or not to vaccinate.
Despite the flurry of conspiracy theories that have kept many parents on edge with respect to the wellbeing of their children, vaccination remains your best bet to guard against debilitating and life-threatening diseases. What you need to know is that the majority of parents still realise the importance of vaccination and understand its benefits.
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It is painful to bear the sight of your baby getting poked with needles and crying but this is a necessary and lesser evil than raising an unhealthy child. Vaccination should occur on a regular basis like clockwork. Some children have been known to suffer some mild reactions on getting immunized but this never progresses into something serious.
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Some of the vaccines that your baby should get include hepatitis B, inactivated poliovirus vaccine, inactivated influenza vaccine, measles, mumps and rubella, and many more. You and your partner also need to get vaccinated and a discussion with your paediatrician will put you in the picture.
In a nutshell, "Vaccinate Your Child On A Regular Basis To Raise A Healthy Child"
It is generally not recommended to delay vaccinations for babies. The vaccination schedule is designed so that the child receives the necessary protection at the right intervals, allowing the body to recover well before the next vaccination. However, if you do miss your child’s vaccination, inform your doctor and ask for an alternative. Missing the immunisation will put the child at risk of infection.
Babies are born with close to zero immunity. They have little immunity, which they get from the mother during pregnancy and childbirth. This protection is temporary, and the baby’s immune system has to develop only after birth. The vaccinations and environmental exposures are what help the immune system develop and get stronger. The vaccinations are very important to protect the babies from various infections, as their bodies are not equipped to fight such infections.
Vaccinations can be painful for babies. Hold the injection site with some pressure and use a cool compress to alleviate the pain further. Try distracting the crying baby by rocking them or using a pacifier, etc. If the baby has a fever or is in a lot of pain, ask your doctor for some mild medication.
The BCG vaccine is the first vaccine babies receive. It is generally given within a few hours after birth, though it can be given in the first few days. If the vaccine is missed, it can be given before the baby turns 5. If the vaccination is given after the baby turns 6 months old, a TB test must be done first.