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MOTHER
AND CHILD CARE
(MAMTA KA
AANGAN)
Episode No. 9
Immunization - 1
The
Indian Government has provided vaccines free of cost, at all the health centres,
all over India, against six diseases, which are killer diseases because these
can kill your baby. The killer diseases are tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertussis,
tetanus, polio and measles.
Vaccinations against these diseases are tools to prepare the body to fight
against these contagious diseases and it is the prime responsibility of every
parent, not to miss this important step of their child’s life.
Let us know about these diseases and the vaccines for them.
Q:
Why is it important to prevent tuberculosis?
A: Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease, in which the child gets
low-grade fever, loses appetite, fails to grow and loses weight. It can affect
the lungs, bones, meninges (membranes surrounding the brain) and lead to serious
forms, where a child may get convulsions and lose consciousness and may even
die. The BCG vaccine protects the child from these serious forms.
Q:
When should the vaccine for tuberculosis be given?
A: BCG is given at birth, or soon after, always over the left shoulder, so that
the doctor can identify if a child has been vaccinated.
Q:
Are there any complications after the BCG vaccine?
A: After about 3-4 weeks a small swelling appears which may break into an ulcer
with little watery discharge. It is a normal process, and heals, leaving a small
permanent scar. Nothing should be applied, over it. In rural areas, application
of cow dung is a common practice, which leads to tetanus. Your child can have
bath normally. Some children may get enlargement of glands under armpits, which
is treatable.
Q:
What is the DPT vaccine?
A: DPT or triple antigen is given for protection against three diseases –
diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) and tetanus.
Q:
How does diphtheria affect the child and why is it important to prevent
Diphtheria?
A: Diphtheria is characterized by formation of a greyish-white false
membrane in the nose, mouth or larynx, depending on the site of infection, and
accordingly, it may be as serious as to cause over respiratory failure in the
child. It can also affect the heart, kidney and the nervous system.
Q:
How is whooping cough identified and why is it important to prevent it?
A: Whooping cough or Pertussis is characterized by running nose and cough,
which becomes more severe and more frequent with passage of time, resulting in
paroxysms of cough, terminating into vomiting. The child may appear choked, is
unable to breathe and is anxious. Pneumonia, severe malnutrition and
neurological complication are the serious complications.
Q:
What are the complications of tetanus?
A: Tetanus is characterized by generalized increased rigidity and convulsive
spasms of skeletal muscles, which may impair the respiration leading to
inadequate ventilation, hypoxia (lack of oxygen) and irreversible central
nervous system damage and death.
Q:
What is the schedule for vaccination against these diseases?
A: Three doses of DPT are
given, first at 11/2 months, second at 21/2
months and third at 31/2 months. Apart from these, the 1st
booster dose is given between 15-18 months and 2nd booster (DT) at 5
years. The 3rd and 4th booster for TT (Tetanus Toxoid) at
are given at 10 years and 15 years respectively. DPT is the only vaccine that
can give rise to reactions commonly being local tenderness and fever, which
usually lasts for less than 24 hours for which the child can be given a
paracetamol.
Q:
Are there any precautions to be taken in case of DPT vaccination?
A: If your child is known to have any neurological disorder, please
inform your doctor before this vaccination. He/She will advice you about giving
DPT, after proper assessment. If your child gets convulsions or any other
serious reaction after this vaccine, 2nd dose should not be given.
Q:
What is Tetanus neonatorum?
A: Tetanus occurring in a newborn between 5-15 days of life, because of
unsterilized and contaminated materials are used to cut the umbilical cord,
thereby introducing the infection.
Q:
Is there any prophylaxis against Tetanus neonatorum?
A: Every pregnant woman should be given two doses of TT (Tetanus Toxoid), 4
weeks apart from the other, 2nd dose at least two weeks before full
term. This antenatal vaccine, given to the mother, is meant to protect her baby,
during the neonatal period [1 booster dose at 3 years interval], if she becomes
pregnant after three years.
Q:
How serious can polio be?
A: Polio is an illness that ranges from minor illness like fever, headache,
nausea, and sore throat to extensive paralysis of muscle, respiratory failure
and even death.
Q:
What is the vaccination schedule for polio?
A: Oral polio vaccine is given in 5 doses. First dose of oral polio vaccine (OPV)
is given at birth (with BCG), three doses are given at 11/2
month, 21/2 month and 31/2
with (DPT) and 5th dose at 9 months with measles. Two booster
doses between 15-18 months and at 5 years with the booster of DT are also given.
Q:
What is Pulse Polio Immunization?
A: The Indian government has started annual pulse polio immunization
programme, in which all children across the country below 5 years are given 2
doses of oral polio vaccine at 6 weeks interval, throughout the country, in an
attempt to eradicate poliomyelitis. These are extra doses to the normal
schedule. Apart from these extra doses, the child has to be immunized according
to her/his own schedule.
NATIONAL
IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULE
Birth
BCG
Oral Polio Vaccine
6 weeks
DPT 1 dose
Oral Polio Vaccine 2nd dose
10
weeks
DPT 2 dose
Oral Polio Vaccine 3rd dose
14
weeks
DPT 3 dose
Oral Polio Vaccine 4th dose
9
months
Measles
Oral Polio Vaccine 5th dose
15-18
months
DPT 1st booster dose
Oral Polio Vaccine 6th dose
5 years
DT 2nd booster dose
Oral
Polio Vaccine 7th dose
10 years
TT 3rd booster
15 years
TT 4th booster
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