Vaccinations are administered to strengthen the immune system and prevent diseases. Though children are born with a inherent immune system, it is not strong enough to prevent diseases such as polio, whooping cough, measles and hepatitis B. Therefore vaccines should be administered from infancy with the first dose of hepatitis B being administered at birth prior to the baby being discharged from the hospital. Thereafter your doctor will advise the date for the medical appointment to administer the next vaccination. It is essential that the child receives the vaccines on the due dates. If the child is ill or under medication, then this should be informed to the child’s pediatrician who will then decide on whether the vaccine should be administered or whether it should be postponed. Children who are not immunized will expose themselves to numerous disweases, which may result in brain damage and heart problems and even paralysis and death. Protection of the child against sicknesses is a priority to any parent and the best way is through immunization.
After the vaccines are administered there may be some side effects such as soreness around the area where the vaccine was administered and fever. In rare situations the child might experience an allergic reaction such as hoarseness or wheezing, hives, paleness, dizziness and swelling of the throat which should receive immediate medical attention.
Research has not found any link to autism or any other behavioral disorders due to side effects of vaccines. For that matter, there does not seem to be any serious permanent after effect. In the not too distant past such as 1989 to 1991 55,000 cases of measles were reported in USA which lead to 120 deaths. Today this sickness is no longer prevalent in USA. Deafness, blindness, heart disease, mental retardation were the outcome of the rubella epidemic from 1964 to 1965 in USA. In developing countries we still hear of epidemics breaking out. Multiple vaccines can be administered and this will not have multiple side effects.
Protection against diseases will not be effective if all the doses are not taken. If for some reason you have missed the vaccination schedule, then you should speak to your doctor to find out how you can get back on track.
Most of the countries have made several vaccines mandatory. This may differ from country to country or even from state to state. Schools will require proof of the mandatory vaccines prior to admission. There are recommended vaccines to prevent a particular disease or virus, that is prevalent in the area or country at that particular time but these vaccines will not be mandatory.
Vaccines are extensively tested for safely and it will take years before a license is granted for use of a vaccine. Even thereafter, research will continue to make the vaccines more effective and very secure.
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