The outbreak of a pandemic has brought in a situation of fear and uncertainty. We all are ensuring the safety of our kids by keeping them indoors. While they have been busy with online schooling, we have been avoiding restaurants, canceling trips, etc – all just to reduce their exposure to the virus and minimize the risk level.
Now with the pandemic and kids being indoors, most parents might wonder – Do children need to be vaccinated if they are at home?
Both me and my husband have been thinking about this too. So far we have been avoiding hospital visits and even delaying general check-ups. But now our kid’s DTP booster vaccine is due and we have been wondering – can we take the risk of skipping or delaying their vaccine? Are vaccinations really important right now?
Well, it turns out vaccinations have never been more crucial. I spoke to our pediatrician regarding this and he highlighted that even if kids have been at home, it is important to keep their vaccinations up-to-date in order to protect them from serious diseases. So that when they go back to interacting with other children, they’ll have complete protection. And in case of booster vaccines, it is even more important that they aren’t delayed or missed.
Here’s why timely vaccination is important for kids even if they are at home –
- Vaccines help our immune system to fight infections by introducing an inactivated form of a germ (bacteria or virus) into the body. As it is inactivated, it cannot make us sick. But it triggers our body’s immune system to produce antibodies. So, if we ever catch the germ, our body’s immune system will already know how to fight it.
Usually, vaccines are administered as per a schedule. Some vaccines only require a single shot. However, there are many vaccines like DTP vaccine that require a booster shot after the initial dose to continue preventing the disease. Since our immune system gets slower with time and our body loses the antibodies gradually, booster vaccines work as a ‘reminder‘ to our immune system to continue preventing a disease.
Timely booster vaccines are very important as skipping or delaying them can leave our body open to disease once again and thereby leading to a potential risk. It leaves children at risk of getting diseases when they are at the most vulnerable age.
Also, children are not only at risk themselves, but they can also spread the illness to others who aren’t protected.
Thus following a recommended immunization schedule improves the immunization coverage and also reduces the chance of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks.
In the past, vaccines have reduced and in many cases eliminated diseases (like polio) that severely disabled people generations ago.
They are only given to children after a long and careful review by scientists, doctors and health care professionals. Though these involve some discomfort and cause pain, redness or tenderness at the sight of injection, but, this is minimal compared to the pain, discomfort and trauma of the diseases these vaccines prevent.
Given the current situation of the pandemic, the last thing our healthcare professionals and frontline workers need is to manage a vaccine-preventable disease outbreak on top of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hence, even if kids are at home, timely vaccination is important to keep them, the family and the entire community protected from any serious or dangerous disease outbreak.
The WHO as well as the Government of India consider childhood vaccination as the leading priority. So for the best protection of our kids and society, our children need to vaccinated even if they are at home, at the recommended times rather than delaying or splitting vaccines.
Especially for the preschool age kids (4-6 year), it is imperative to be vaccinated with the right DTP Booster vaccine for stronger immunity. The DTP booster vaccines help protect growing children from three diseases- Diphtheria, Tetanus and pertussis. They are given as a series of 5 injections, given at ages- 2 months; 4 months; 6 months; 15 to 18 months; 4 to 6 years. Since it’s a booster shot, most parents tend to take it lightly and sometimes delay or skip it. However, one thing that this current Covid 19 outbreak reminds us is – how valuable vaccines are. Without the protection of vaccines, a disease can spread quickly and with severe consequences.
As parents we need to remember that the health and care of our children lies in our hands and vaccination is a very safe preventive tool. Any concerns about vaccine safety should be raised with the doctor. But, the vaccine should not be avoided.
If you aren’t sure what vaccinations you or your child need, consult your healthcare provider right away.
Your child’s DTP booster vaccination is a must. #DontWaitVaccinate and know more about the Right DTP vaccine.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the blog content are independent and unbiased views of solely the blogger. This is a part of the public awareness initiative supported by Sanofi Pasteur India. Sanofi Pasteur India bears no responsibility for the content of the blog. One should consult their healthcare provider for any health-related information.
References
1. https://www.passporthealthglobal.com/2016/10/why-boosters-are-important/
2. https://immunizebc.ca/why-your-child-needs-get-vaccinated-on-time
3. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/schedules/risks-delaying-vaccines.html
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Our hospital now calls parents directly to remind them to come and get the Boosters done on time
Completely agree with you on ” Without the protection of vaccines, a disease can spread quickly and with severe consequences. ” .. As a parent we have to take care of this .
Absolutely during pandemic vaccine especially booster doses are delayed. This definitely puts kids at risks for infectious diseases. Timely dtp booster vaccination with proper sops should be done. #dontwaitvaccinate
A lot of apprehensions surrounding the vaccines are going on. Most of us dread trying it on our kids because we fear if there would be side effects. But your post gave the needed clarity. Now I am clear about vaccinating my kids. Yes it is needed
Proper awareness need to be spread about the importance and the advantages of vaccinating kids. It might take time but we need to be persistent about spreading the awareness in our possibility. Thanks for the post. I’m sure many mommies would change their mind after reading your post.
The point that you have raised is very important that the scientist would approve the use of vaccine on kids only after detailed research. This idea needs to be instilled in the doubtful minds. Even if they are home we need to vaccinate because we are bit staying home.
Vaccinations protect our kids and cannot be delayed even if they’re at home. Booster vaccines are just as important, hence the immunisation schedule must be properly followed for their own benefit.
Yes definitely booster doses act as top ups for our immune system and hence they are most needed now when kids need to have strong immunity during the pandemic.
Glad to know things are advancing in our country too. However vaccination is utmost important and timely vaccines above all.
Prevention is better than cure.. This says it all. Kids health is of utmost importance and to boost their immunity is equally imperetive. Parents should gets their kids vaccinated on time without any further delay.
I don’t know why people try to find excuses and justify themselves regarding delaying or not giving vaccines. Your post discusses important points.
Yeah even I have been avoiding doctor visits this year but now vaccinations are due for my kids. So will have to soon plan a trip to the doc.
Even I had the same doubt about getting the vaccination done for my son amid the prevalent pandemic. My son’s DTP booster is due in Feb and I too was quite skeptical whether to book the appointment or not. But yes after talking to the pediatrician I realized how important are the booster doses. This is quite an informative post, Charu, hope it helps the parents to take the right decision.
yes with this pandemic many parents are not able to follow their fixed vaccination schedule. but it is very important to not get delayed to protect our kids against various serious diseases. will re check with my doctor about booster dose of DTP. thanks a lot for reminding all of us.
Yes staying in order with the vaccination chart is so important. I liked all the detailed explanation in the post that will break the dilemma of many parents who are in the confused state.
Vaccinations should definitely be done in due time and should not be avoided at all. During complete lockdown in the first half of 2020, my son’s vaccinations were delayed a bit but still I made sure that they were not avoided completely.
As a parent it’s our 1st duty to make sure we get timely shots for our kids. It’s for their own health n safety and should not be missed.
I think timely vaccination is absolutely important for kids as you have rightly pointed out. There might have been a delay due to lockdown but it shouldn’t be put off. DTP booster should be given to all kids on time.
You have mentioned right pointers and parents should carefully understand it as vaccination is something need not to be missed!!
A very informative post awareness at right time is really important regarding the kids vaccine.. As a parent it’s I. Important to take care of this especially In this current situation..
I am so glad yo see you create an awareness about this. I know a lot of parents who have been confused since a long time , wondering if they should go for the vaccinations right now. I will definitely spread a word about this.
Yes I agree these are tough time for everyone but DTP vaccination is also very crucial for preventing kids against these three ailments. Thanks for this awareness post.
We had the same concern too but quite similarly a discussion with the doctor made everything clear and we got our 5 year old vaccinated last month.
Vaccinating kids at the right age is important. Spreading proper awareness is very much required. I have followed all vaccines timely and I am happy for that.
Very helpful article. We had wondered if this is a vaccination that is required when everyone is staying at home and taking precautions and following all of the guideline however your article makes a very good detailed analysis of why it is required and that too in a timely fashion.
Charuy your articles are so helpful. I agree with you 100% that vaccinations/ boosters are mandatory for kids even if they don’t step out of the house. My pediatric clinic calls up the parents to inform about vaccinations.