Vaccines are biological components consisting of killed, attenuated microorganisms or parts thereof, which are administered to patients venously to prevent infectious diseases. What they do is create immunity against the disease.
The injection or vaccine is fundamental and basic to prevent infectious diseases, with an impact on global health, and its value should be unquestionable.
Why is it important to vaccinate my child?
When you vaccinate a child, you protect him and, many times, the population, from infections by diseases that can be serious, frequent and even fatal. Today, thanks to vaccines, many diseases have disappeared or are very well controlled. However, if we were to stop vaccinating, they could probably appear again.
As a parent, we must always keep our children’s health and safety in mind. Just as we make sure that doors are locked and car seats are used, so should the use of vaccines, which are designed to protect children from infectious diseases that can kill them.
What diseases can vaccines prevent?
No other measure like vaccines (with the exception of water purification), not even antibiotics, has helped to reduce morbidity and mortality in humans. Efforts and investment in vaccines since 2001 in developing countries around the world will have prevented some 20 million deaths by 2020. The epidemiological situation of the planet has changed since the introduction of vaccines.
Systematic vaccination programs have made it possible, for example, to eradicate smallpox, interrupt the transmission of poliomyelitis almost everywhere in the world, and control diseases such as measles, diphtheria, tetanus, rubella, invasive Haemophilus influenzae disease and meningitis, among others.
Why can’t I wait until my child starts school to get vaccines?
The best way to protect children from serious childhood diseases is to give them all the recommended vaccines before they turn 2 years old. They should begin at two months of age and, for the most part, are given in the first two years of life. By vaccinating our children on time we will protect them from infections and prevent them from infecting other children at school or daycare, since young children are very sensitive and prone to contracting diseases, as their immune system defenses are not developed to fight infections. The main reason to vaccinate children from birth is basic: because vaccines save lives.
When and why might a vaccine be contraindicated?
It is rare for a vaccine to produce a serious reaction, but it could happen. But the risks of contracting a serious disease by not administering the vaccine are undoubtedly greater than the risk of the vaccine causing a reaction. The pediatric specialist in charge of administering the vaccine is responsible for knowing the contraindications but also the precautions to be taken into account in the country where he/she practices. Before vaccinating a child, it will be checked if he/she may have temporary or permanent contraindications. A previous anaphylactic allergic reaction to any of the vaccine components will be considered a permanent contraindication.
Why is the sanitary registration of vaccines important?
Vaccine health registration will allow both the parents and the physician to administer vaccines at the correct time. The record should begin at birth, when the child will receive his or her first vaccine, and should be updated as the next vaccines are given. The information in the health record will be useful if the family moves or changes doctors, but also for enrolling the child in day care or school.