Immunization is considered to be one of the most successful and cost-effective public health sustainable interventions for human beings against diseases that affect our health. In 2002 WHO estimated that 1.4 Million of deaths amongst children under 5 years were due to diseases that could have been prevented by routine vaccinations. Routine immunization plays a key role to significantly reduce child mortality due to vaccine preventable diseases. Here’s more,

What is the overall goal of immunization

To reduce the morbidity and mortality rate among children against the most common vaccine preventable diseases.

What are the different vaccines? When are they given? And What do they protect against?

Bacilles Calmette Guerin (BCG) is given at birth, this is a vaccine for tuberculosis (TB) disease, BCG is used mainly  in countries with a high prevalence of TB like South Africa to protect childhood tuberculous meningitis and miliary disease

Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) is given at birth and at 6 weeks, this vaccine is used to prevent poliomyelitis. WHO recommends all children be fully vaccinated against Polio.

Diphtheria, Tetanus, Acellular pertussis, inactivated polio vaccine and Haemophilus influenzae Type B and Hepatitis B combined (DTap-IPV-Hib-HBV (2) is given at 6, 10, 14 weeks and again at 18 months, this vaccine helps to protect against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Hepatitis B, poliomyelitis and serious diseases caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b

Rotavirus Vaccine (RV) This vaccine like OPV is given orally, it is given at 6 weeks and at 14 weeks, the vaccine gives protection against rotavirus infection. It’s possible for a baby to get rotavirus infection after being vaccinated. But this is uncommon and its usually milder than it would have been if they had not been vaccinated.

Pneumococcal Conjugated Vaccine (PCV) is given at 6, 14 weeks and at 9 months, this vaccine protects against serious and potentially fatal pneumococcal infections.   It’s also known as the pneumonia vaccine.

Measles Vaccine is given at 6 months and at 12 months, this vaccine protects children from measles

Tetanus and reduced strength of Diphtheria Vaccine (Td vaccine) is given at 6 years and at 12 years, this vaccine protects against two life threatening bacterial   diseases, tetanus, and diphtheria.

Getting your young one immunized is for their greater good and if you happen to miss a date for one reason or the other, go to your nearest healthcare provider and ask for a catch up to ensure your child gets protected from vaccine preventable diseases to ensure they enjoy a healthy enjoyable childhood.

If you have any questions for Nurse Angela, or need a list of youth-friendly facilities in or near your community, send me a private message.