Childhood Vaccines: Shield Against Diseases

Vaccines have revolutionised the world of healthcare by saving countless lives and protecting us from dangerous diseases. Vaccines are crucial for both kids and adults as they protect individuals from potentially life-threatening diseases by stimulating the immune system to recognise and fight specific pathogens. By preventing diseases, vaccinations help individuals maintain optimal health and well-being. They help stop the spread of diseases in communities. Let's understand the role of different types of vaccines, shed light on the importance of immunisation for children, and discuss why it matters.

Types of vaccines

The different types of vaccines are:

1. Live-attenuated vaccines:

In this type, a live but weakened version of the germ/virus that causes a disease is injected into the body. These vaccines create immunity against virus and trigger an immune response similar to the natural infection. Just 1 or 2 doses of most live vaccines can give you a lifetime of protection as they create a strong and long-lasting immune response against the germ & disease it causes. Live vaccines are used to protect against chickenpox, yellow fever, smallpox, and rotavirus.

2. Inactivated vaccines:

In this type, a killed version of the bacteria or virus that causes a disease is injected into the body. These vaccines do not trigger an immune response as strong as the live vaccines hence you may need several doses over time to get on-going immunity against diseases. This vaccine are used to protect against Hepatitis A, flu & polio (shot only), and rabies.

3. Subunit vaccines:

In this, only a specific part of the germ is injected into the body. Because it uses only specific pieces of the germ, they trigger a very strong immune response. These vaccines are also suitable for those with weakened immunity and chronic health conditions. However, to get on-going protection against the disease, you may need to get booster shots.

4. Toxoid vaccines:

Some vaccines are made with inactivated versions of the toxins released by the bacteria/virus. They are called 'toxoids' because while they look like toxins, they are not poisonous and they create a strong immune response.

5. mRNA vaccines:

These vaccines make proteins in order to trigger an immune response. This technology was used to make some of the COVID-19 vaccines.

6. Viral vector vaccines:

These vaccines modify another virus and utilise it as a vector to provide protection from the intended virus. Several different viruses have been used as vectors, including influenza, measles virus, and adenovirus.

What Vaccines Do Kids Need?

Children up to the age of 16 should be given childhood vaccinations for protection against preventable diseases. This includes:

1. BCG

The Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is one of the most widely used vaccines and is given to protect children from meningitis and tuberculosis (TB).

Side-effects

High fever, headache, and soreness at the injection site are mild reactions. Rare, serious complications include bone inflammation and abscesses.

2. Hepatitis B

This potentially critical disease is caused by the HBV or hepatitis B virus. In this disease, the virus affects the liver causing liver cancer, liver cirrhosis, liver failure and even death. The Hepatitis B vaccine helps protect children against this life-threatening liver infection. The first dose is given within 24 hours of birth, followed by the 2nd dose at 1-2 months of age, and the 3rd dose between 6-18 months. However, if the mother has Hepatitis B, the child should get the first shot of the vaccine within 12 hours of birth.

To Know More About Hepatitis, Read - Everything You Need To Know About Hepatitis

Side-effects:

Mild reactions such as pain/swelling/redness at the injection site and fever which go away on their own.

3. Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV)

Polio, also called Poliomyelitis, is a life-threatening and infectious disease which can affect the brain and spinal cord, leading to paralysis. It is caused by poliovirus, and children below age of 5 are the most vulnerable. OPV helps prevent Poliomyelitis.

Side-effects

Some common side-effects which are mild and eventually go away are low-grade fever, redness/pain/swelling at the injection site, fatigue, irritability, decreased appetite, etc. The severe and rare side effects include swelling of lymph nodes, low blood pressure, convulsion, pricking or tingling sensation, difficulty breathing, wheezing, etc.

4. Pentavalent

With this vaccines, kids get protection from 5 life-threatening diseases, viz., Tetanus, Diphtheria, Hepatitis B, Pertussis, and Hib.

Side-effects

Redness/swelling/pain at the injection site and fever which may last 1-3 days.

5. Rotavirus

Rotavirus infection can cause severe diarrhoea, fever, vomiting, and abdominal pain in infants and children. In severe cases, it can also be fatal. The Rotavirus vaccine is recommended to get protection from this infection and the first dose is administered when the baby is 2 months of age.

Side-effects

Usually, mild side-effects can be seen, which includes vomiting, diarrhoea, and irritability. In rare cases, the child may suffer from intussusception, a type of bowel blockage that needs to be treated in a hospital.

6. Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)

The child should be given 2 doses of MMR for protection from three infectious and serious diseases - measles, mumps, and rubella. The first dose is given between 12 months - 15 months of age, and the second at 4-6 years. There should be a gap of at least 4 weeks between the doses.

Side-effects

Common side-effects include fever, mild rash, pain and stiffness in the joints, which may be for a temporary period, and sore arm.

7. DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis)

To help prevent three infectious diseases, viz., diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and tetanus, the primary dose is given as part of pentavalent vaccine followed by two booster doses that are given at 16 -24 months and 5-6 years, respectively.

Side-effects

Mild side-effects include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, irritability, and swelling/pain at the injection site. In rare cases, severe reactions can occur, which include high fever, seizures, swelling of the entire arm or leg, and non-stop crying for more than 3 hours.

8. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV)

The administration of PCV helps protect children against Pneumococcal diseases. Pneumococcal disease is a bacterial infection causing pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis (blood infection), which can be life-threatening. PCV comes in 3 doses at 6 weeks, 14 weeks, and 9 months (booster dose).

Side-effects

Usually, side-effects are mild, including loss of appetite, fatigue, fever, fussiness, headache, joint pain, and redness/swelling/soreness at the injection site.

9. Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV)

JEV vaccine helps prevent viral encephalitis and is recommended in regions where JE is a public health issue.

Side-effects

Pain/tenderness/swelling at the injection site, fever, headache or muscle aches, which are usually mild.

10. Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)

Hib can cause lifelong disability and even death. Hib vaccine is recommended for children below 5 years as they are more at risk of contracting this disease.

Side-effects

Mild reactions from the vaccine include fever, pain/swelling/redness at the injection site and these usually go away after 2-3 days.

11. Varicella

Chickenpox or Varicella vaccine is recommended for protection against chickenpox. Caused by varicella-zoster virus, chickenpox causes itchy, blister-like rashes all over the body, along with fever. It is highly contagious.

Side-effects

Fever, redness/rash/pain can occur at the injection site. Severe reactions include seizures, pneumonia, and infection of the brain and/or spinal cord.

Vaccine Concerns

The most common side effects of a vaccine are swelling, redness, and tenderness at the injection site. Sometimes, it can cause fever (usually low-grade fever), loss of appetite, and rash. Typically, these symptoms subside in a few days. It is better to consult your doctor if there are any serious side effects.

Immunisation Schedule - Recommended Vaccines by Age

The schedule of childhood vaccinations is as below:

**JE Vaccine in places where cases are moderate to high.

#Phased introduction, at present in Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Orissa from 2016 & expanded in Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Rajasthan, and Tripura in February 2017.

Conclusion

Childhood vaccinations start soon after the child is born and continue till the age of 16. Then there are adult vaccines too. Vaccines are an effective weapon to prevent many infectious and serious diseases. It's important to maintain your child's recommended immunisation schedule and get him/her vaccinated as per the schedule. Delaying it will increase your child's risk of contracting diseases.

FAQs

1. Are vaccines safe?

Yes, vaccines are safe. They are approved for public use only after passing the safety and quality standards. Vaccines save lives as they help prevent infectious diseases. A vaccinated child is less likely to contract infections and life-threatening diseases than children without vaccination. There are some common side effects of vaccines, such as redness, swelling at the injection site and mild fever, but they go away in 1-2 days.

2. Is it necessary to vaccinate my child?

Yes, it is necessary and important to vaccinate your child because vaccines save lives. Childhood vaccines help protect your child from several diseases which can be harmful or even fatal because the immune system in infants and children is still not strong enough to fight infections. If you don't vaccinate your child, highly contagious diseases, like measles and diphtheria, which have been wiped out in many countries, will come back.

3. Why should I vaccinate my child if vaccines don't provide 100% protection?

If not 100% protection, vaccines work in 85% to 99% of cases. Vaccines reduce the risk of your child getting infected with serious illnesses like polio, measles, tetanus, etc. Although wiped out in many places, these diseases still exist in some regions.

Source: unicef.org, my.clevelandclinic, kidshealth.org, news-medical.net, vaccineknowledge