Vaccinations offer immunity against specific diseases, providing a shield against them. Immunity equips you with protection from these illnesses.
While you might question the need for vaccinations against unfamiliar diseases, remember that many diseases were once rampant and took the lives of numerous children.
Although these diseases might seem distant, vaccinations have drastically reduced their prevalence. By safeguarding your baby, vaccinations not only shield them but also curtail the spread of diseases to others.
A Map of Essential Vaccinations for Your Baby
Within the first two years of life, your baby receives a series of vaccinations, forming a protective shield against various illnesses.
These vaccinations are indispensable not just for your baby's welfare but also to prevent disease transmission.
If we stopped vaccinating, diseases would return and we could be hit by major epidemics.
A Shield Against Diseases: The Power of Vaccinations
Vaccinations fortify your baby against a spectrum of illnesses, including:
Flu (Influenza): Characterized by symptoms like fever, chills, cough, and more. Severe forms do exist, but are fortunately very rare and mainly respiratory (influenza-like acute pulmonary edema). Children at risk include former premature infants and those suffering from heart disease, chronic asthma, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, immune deficiency or severe obesity.
Haemophilus Influenzae Type b (Hib): Serious bacterial infections occur mainly in infants and children under 5 yo: otitis, epiglottitis with asphyxia, meningitis, which can be fatal or leave serious after-effects (deafness, blindness). Early antibiotic treatment does not always prevent these complications.
Hepatitis A and B: Infections impacting the liver and last one can be chronic and lead to cirrhosis or cancer. Hepatitis A can cause fulminant hepatic failure and death in about 0.2% of cases.
Measles:Complications can develop in the form of laryngitis, otitis or pneumonia. In the worst case, the virus can cause encephalitis, which can lead to severe neurological sequelae or even death.
Mumps:Responsible for distinct symptoms and in some cases, there may be serious complications, such as meningitis, transient or permanent deafness, or inflammation of the testicles, leading to infertility.
Rubella: Although benign, rubella can have serious consequences for pregnant women. If a woman contracts the disease during pregnancy, particularly in the first few months, there is a high risk of malformations in the unborn child (brain damage, mental retardation, eye or hearing damage, etc.). In some cases, the mother-to-be may also miscarry. It is therefore essential that she and those around her are vaccinated.
Pneumococcal Disease: Bacterial infections causing ailments like respiratory tract infections, ear infections and pneumonia, with possible spread via the bloodstream (bacteremia), and meningitis (inflammation of the meninges, the envelopes of the central nervous system).
Polio: A viral infection affecting the nervous system causing paralysis of the limbs and leading to significant motor sequelae.
Rotavirus: Viral infection triggering severe gastrointestinal symptoms requiring hospitalization with risk of dehydration up to hypovolemic shock and death.
Tetanus: bacterial infection manifested by severe muscle contractures (especially of the jaws), spasms and convulsions, but when respiratory muscles are affected, it is fatal.
Pertussis: Bacterial infections with exhausting coughs, after which the sufferer will have difficulty catching their breath. Vomiting may also occur. In the worst case, the infection can lead to neurological and pulmonary complications. Although rare, coughing fits combined with neurological complications can lead to asphyxia and death. In infants, the disease can rapidly lead to severe acute respiratory distress.
Diphtheria: The disease begins as a simple case of angina, but serious complications can quickly develop. Membranes form in the throat, preventing air circulation and leading to asphyxia. The diphtheria microbe, the diphtheria bacillus, also emits a toxin that can cause paralysis of the eyes and lower limbs, weaken the heart and sometimes lead to hemorrhagic disease.
Varicella (Chickenpox): A highly contagious viral infection. Often benign in children, with rare complications: bacterial superinfection of the skin (if scratched), which can leave permanent scars, meningitis or brain infection accompanied by dizziness. Varicella in adults is often very impressive, but is more contagious in adults who were not immunized against the disease in childhood, and in pregnant women.
Meningococcal: In the case of bacterial meningitis, with potentially serious complications ranging from deafness and/or blindness to death, or septicemia, in which the bacteria spread through the bloodstream, or purpura fulminans (the most serious case), which takes the form of hemorrhagic plaques on the skin, in addition to fulminant septic shock, in which the patient will die in 20 to 30% of cases in the absence of emergency treatment.
Navigating Varied Vaccination Schedules
Specific situations might necessitate altered vaccination schedules. This includes instances when:
Your baby has certain health conditions.
International travel is on the horizon.
Disease outbreaks are occurring in your region.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to vaccination delays for many. To get your baby's schedule back on track, promptly engage with their healthcare provider.
Embracing All Babies: Vaccinations for Every Scenario
Every baby, including those in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), requires vaccinations. Preterm and low-birthweight babies need to be vaccinated all the more, as they are very vulnerable to infection.
In some cases, several doses are required for the vaccine to be effective. Preterm babies are born before 37 weeks of pregnancy, and low-birthweight babies weigh below 2.5kg regardless of gestational age.
Remember, vaccination recommendations might vary, but their importance remains constant. Seek guidance from your baby's healthcare provider for detailed insights.
Balancing Risks and Benefits: Understanding Vaccination Effects
Similar to any medical intervention, vaccinations can cause side effects. In most cases, these effects are mild and transient, indicating a bolstered immune response. Consult your provider for potential side effects, which may include:
Fussiness
Low fever
Redness, swelling, or soreness at the injection site
Headache
Body aches
Baby may be somewhat sleepy or grumpy
Baby may have less appetite than usual.
These reactions are common and do not last more than a couple of days. If you notice one or more of these symptoms, there's nothing to worry about - it's perfectly normal.
When should I be concerned?
There are, however, certain cases in which you should contact your doctor: a high fever - greater than or equal to 39º - a rash or inconsolable crying, for example. This is also the case if your baby is unusually listless or sleepy, or if a very large and painful inflammation appears at the injection site and worsens.
While severe allergic reactions are rare, if suspected, seek immediate medical attention. Rest assured that the benefits of vaccinations typically outweigh potential side effects, especially since severe reactions are extremely uncommon.
What to do first?
In the event of fever, uncover the child, give him or her something to drink and do not overheat the room.
In the event of pain, difficulty falling asleep or grumpiness, don't hesitate to give a form of paracetamol as recommended by your doctor. Except in exceptional circumstances, this medicine should not be given as a preventive or systematic measure.
Dispelling Misconceptions: Vaccinations and Autism
It's crucial to debunk the myth that vaccines trigger autism spectrum disorder. Autism is a distinct developmental condition characterized by social, communication, and behavioral challenges. Vaccinations do not induce this condition.
A study of over 90,000 children at high risk of autism spectrum disorder proves that there is no direct link between measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism. The MMR Vaccine and Autism - PubMed (nih.gov)
Unfolding the Need for Multiple Doses
Multiple doses are often required for optimal protection. Some vaccines mandate multiple doses to establish robust immunity. Others necessitate booster doses to maintain immunity.
Administering multiple vaccinations during one visit is safe, as these combinations have been rigorously tested for safety.
During well-baby appointments, your baby might receive multiple vaccinations in one go. Despite any concerns, rest assured that these vaccines are safely formulated to work harmoniously.
Vaccines play a pivotal role in nurturing your baby's health and contributing to the well-being of society as a whole.
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