Vaccines save lives, prevent great suffering and protect our children. Vaccination is an act of solidarity that prevents the spread of diseases to other children and to the community. Only with this technique, the eradication of diseases is achieved.
When should we start vaccinating our children?
In Spain there are small differences in the schedule between the different autonomous communities, although the vast majority of vaccines are common throughout the country. In health centers, pediatric professionals will indicate the guidelines in force in each area.
However, patients can visit the website of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEP). Once there, in the section on Spanish vaccination schedules, they will be able to view these guidelines. It is usual to start the vaccination during the first months of the child’s life, and gradually administer the doses every 2 months.
Is there any type of vaccine that is not obligatory and of which it would be advisable to vaccinate our children?
There are no mandatory vaccinations. Vaccination is an act of freedom and individual and parental responsibility. There are vaccines that are financed or free and those that are not financed, depending on the budgets of each national community.
All vaccines included in the official schedule are administered free of charge. The rotavirus dose and also, in some areas, the pneumococcal and varicella doses are not included in this regime, as they must be purchased at the pharmacy under medical indication.
For some months now, the meningococcal B vaccine has been available in pharmacies. The Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEP) through its Vaccine Committee (CAV) recommends its administration, since this disease has a mortality rate of 10% and causes serious sequelae in up to 25% of cases.
Do vaccines produce side effects?
Vaccines are very safe drugs, as they are subjected to strict studies before they can be administered to the population and continue to be monitored even after they have been marketed. However, like all drugs, they can produce side effects which are generally very mild (pain at the injection site, fever or even rash).
Exceptionally, a single dose may trigger serious reactions in persons allergic to the preparation or with other special circumstances. For this reason, administration by healthcare professionals and a stay in the center of 15-20 minutes after the injection is recommended.