Children vaccinations
Children vaccinations
Children vaccinations
Contents
1 vaccine
2 Children’s immunity
3 types of children’s vaccinations
4 vaccines that children need
5 side effects of vaccines
6 References
First: vaccinations
Vaccines are defined as biological preparations that improve the body’s immunity against a specific disease.
The vaccines usually contain the pathogen.
Vaccines are often prepared from dead or weakened germs,
or from toxins that these germs produce,
Or through the surface proteins of germs,
The principle of the work of vaccines is based on stimulating
the immune system to recognize the causative agent
of the disease as a foreign body to be eliminated by the immune system,
And store this information to facilitate the process of recognition
and elimination of the foreign body in the event of re-entry into the body again.
Second: children’s immunity
Babies when they are born have an immune system that can protect
them from many different diseases
And that is through the transmission of some antibodies from the mother
to fetus during pregnancy via the placenta,
Babies continue to get more antibodies from their mothers during the breastfeeding process.
Children are vaccinated at an early age to prevent infection with
some diseases that may pose a threat to the child’s life.
This is due to the inability of the children’s immune systems to
eliminate some dangerous diseases,
It is worth noting that the germs that are found inside the vaccines
cannot in any way overcome the immune system of the child and cause it to occur.
Third: Types of vaccines
Types of vaccines differ according to the method and type of their production, and this includes:
1- Attenuated (weakened) live viruses
These vaccines contain live attenuated viruses such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
2- Killed (inactivated) viruses or bacteria
This type of vaccine contains killed (inactivated) viruses or bacteria, such as the IPV vaccine.
3- Toxoid vaccines
This type of vaccine contains inactivated toxin that is produced by bacteria. For example,
Diphtheria and tetanus vaccines.
4- Conjugate vaccines
These conjugated vaccines contain bits of bacteria mixed with proteins such as the Hib vaccine.
Note: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children be given combination vaccines (rather than single vaccines) whenever possible.
Many types of combined vaccines are offered to children to help reduce the number of injections a child receives.
Fourth: vaccines that children need
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends these types of vaccines be given to children in general:
- Chickenpox (varicella) vaccine
- Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine (DTaP)
- Hepatitis A Vaccine (HepA)
- Hepatitis B vaccine (HepB)
- Hib vaccine
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine
- Influenza vaccine
- Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR)
- Meningococcal vaccines
- Pneumococcal vaccine (PCV)
- Polio vaccine (IPV)
- Rotavirus vaccine
Many different vaccines are offered to children, and vaccination schedules differ according to each region of the world.
And they are distributed at different times,
most of which are concentrated within the first two years of the child’s life,
Some types of vaccines are also provided in several separate doses,
The following is an explanation of some common types of
vaccines for children and the appropriate times to obtain them:
1- Hepatitis B vaccine:
This vaccine is given in three separate doses.
The first dose is given to the fetus at birth, then the second dose is given a month after the first dose
The third dose is given five months after the second dose
This vaccine prevents the child from contracting hepatitis B.
2- Rotavirus vaccine:
This vaccine is given in two doses to children when they reach the second and fourth months of age, to prevent rotavirus infection,
As rotavirus is one of the main causes of diarrhea in children.
3- Pneumococcal vaccine
It is administered in four different stages,
It begins at the age of two months until the age of one year,
This vaccine protects the child from infection with some types of
bacteria that cause pneumococcal disease.
4- The Triple Vaccine: (DTaP Vaccine)
This vaccine protects against diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus.
It is given in five separate doses during the first six years of the child’s life,
Then some booster doses are given during adolescence and adulthood.
5- Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine:
As this type of bacteria was considered the main cause of bacterial meningitis,
This vaccine is divided into four doses, distributed over the first year of the child’s life.
6- Polio vaccine:
It is divided into four doses, from two months old to eighteen months old.
7- Influenza Vaccine:
Influenza vaccine is given to prevent seasonal influenza infection.
It is administered annually, and children can start after six months of age.
8- Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine: MMR vaccine
This vaccine is given in two doses,
and the first dose is recommended between the age of one year and fifteen months of the age of the newborn
The second dose is between the fourth and sixth years of the child’s life.
9- Chickenpox vaccine: Varicella vaccine
This vaccine is given in two doses to prevent infection with chickenpox
The first dose is given when the child reaches one year of age,
and the second dose between the fourth and sixth years.
10 – Human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV vaccines)
This vaccine is only given to girls to prevent cervical cancer.
It is caused by the human papillomavirus, and it is given in two doses,
six months apart, between the ages of twelve and thirteen.
11- BCG vaccine
This vaccine is given to children to prevent infection with tuberculosis,
and it can be given from birth until the age of sixteen.
Fourth: side effects of vaccines
In some cases, vaccinations may have side effects.
These effects are usually minor and disappear on their own within a few days.
A common side effect in children is:
The injection site is swollen, red, and a small, hard skin bump.
The child may have a fever in some cases.
The dose of the vaccine may also be accompanied by some other side effects, such as;
- Shivering
- Feeling tired and unwell
- Headache
- Muscle and joint pain
In some rare cases, some more severe symptoms may occur that may pose a threat to a person’s life,
such as a sudden allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis,
It is worth noting that this case occurs very rarely, as only one case out of every million cases occurs,
It can be controlled and treated effectively by health care providers.
İmportant notice:
The content of the submitted articles, including all text, graphics,
images, and other materials, is provided for educational purposes only.
The information provided is not a substitute for professional medical advice or professional diagnosis.
Moreover, the information on this website should not be taken as
final medical advice in relation to any case or individual situation.
We strongly recommend that you always seek the advice of your doctor
or other qualified health service provider with any questions you may
have regarding any medical condition, your general health, or the health of your child.
References
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