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Infant Immunization and Newborn Vaccines: Shielding Your Baby from Harm

Vaccinations are crucial for newborns as they provide protection from various infections and diseases throughout all stages of life. Babies up to 28 days of birth are referred to as newborns. During this time, they are especially vulnerable to infections and life-threatening illnesses due to their developing immune systems. Similarly, infants also face heightened risks of contracting diseases during their early months. This is why newborn immunization and infant immunization are essential for safeguarding their health.

Newborn immunization helps protect babies during their most vulnerable period by introducing vaccines that strengthen their immune systems. These vaccines shield them from harmful bacteria and viruses that could otherwise cause severe illnesses. As babies grow, following the recommended infant immunization schedule ensures they continue to build immunity against a wider range of diseases.

In addition, newborn parenting tips can help parents manage the challenges of vaccinations, ensuring their child’s health and well-being as they navigate the early stages of life.

Why Vaccination For Infants And Newborns Is Important?

The human body protects itself by developing immunity against various viruses and bacteria over time. However, a child’s immune system is not fully developed at birth. During this crucial phase, newborn immunization and infant immunization play a vital role by helping the immune system combat harmful germs that might pose a risk to the newborn’s health.

Newborn immunization and infant immunization provide the following benefits:

  • Vaccines help protect your child against diseases that can cause serious harm or prove fatal, especially in those with developing immune systems like infants.
  • Newborn immunization and infant immunization reduce the need for antibiotics, which in turn helps combat the growing prevalence of antibiotic resistance.
  • Vaccinating your newborn and infant against diseases protects their health while also helping you save financial resources by preventing costly treatments.

To ensure your child receives timely vaccinations, it’s essential to follow the infant immunization schedule as recommended by the LIC (Local Immunization Committee). Additionally, newborn parenting tips can guide you in providing the best care for your baby during their early stages of life.

Recommended Vaccination For Newborns

Wondering which vaccines are given to newborns and infants? Here are some of the recommended vaccines.

Vaccines For Newborns Below 4 Weeks

  • Hepatitis B
    The hepatitis B virus can result in persistent liver swelling and cause irreversible lifetime consequences. The baby receives the first of three or four doses of the Hepatitis B vaccine before departing the hospital. It is advised that newborns receive their first dosage within twenty-four hours of birth.

  • BCG
    BCG is one of the important vaccines to be given to newborns in India to protect against Tuberculosis (TB). It is highly effective in preventing severe forms of Tuberculosis like TB Meningitis (infection of layers covering the brain) and disseminated TB. It is generally given in the upper part of the left arm, which leaves a permanent mark.

  • Birth Dose of Oral Poliovirus Vaccine (OPV)
    The Oral Poliovirus Vaccine (OPV) not only safeguards your child from polio but also contributes to the global eradication efforts against the disease. OPV is administered as 2 oral drops. OPV administered for the first time within 24 hours of birth is called the birth dose or 0 dose. This is very important to protect against early infections. The birth dose of OPV helps to create a protective barrier in the intestine to prevent the entry of Poliovirus through the intestine.

Vaccines For Babies Below 6 Months

  • Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Vaccine
    The best defense against the three dangerous diseases—whooping cough (pertussis), tetanus, and diphtheria—is a 6-in-1 or 5-in-1 vaccine, which provides protection not only against these three diseases but also against other infections like H. Influenza, Hepatitis B, and Polio (only in the 6-in-1 shot). These illnesses pose a danger to anyone, but whooping cough is especially risky for infants.

  • Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib) Vaccine
    The bacteria Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is the source of the deadly illness known as Hib disease. Infants younger than five and toddlers are particularly vulnerable to Hib illness. It can be fatal or result in permanent disability.

  • Hepatitis B Vaccine
    Liver damage and cancer can result from the contagious and potentially dangerous hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B can become a persistent, lifelong infection in babies. Although there isn’t a treatment for hepatitis B, the strongest defense against it is immunity through vaccination.

  • Pneumococcal Vaccine
    Pneumococcal illness can result in infections that could be extremely serious or fatal. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine offers protection against pneumococcal disease-causing bacteria.

  • Polio Vaccine
    Poliovirus, which can infect the spinal cord and induce paralysis, is both disabling and potentially fatal. Children under five are at significant risk of this disease.

Vaccines For Babies Between 6 Months to Below 12 Months Old

  • Flu Vaccine
    Babies under one year of age should receive a 0.5 ml dose of the influenza vaccine via intramuscular injection annually, ideally 2 to 4 weeks before the start of the influenza season.

  • Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine
    All infants aged 6 months and older, as well as children, should receive the Typhoid conjugate vaccine. A single dose is administered between 6 and 9 months of age, and typically, booster doses are not required.

  • MMR Vaccine
    The MMR vaccine is a combination vaccine that protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. Babies receive the first dose at 9 months, the second dose at 15 months, and the third dose between 4 and 6 years of age.

  • Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine
    The meningococcal vaccine protects against types A, C, W, and Y of meningococcal disease, which can lead to meningitis and other serious illnesses caused by meningococcal bacteria. For babies under 12 months of age, the vaccine is administered as a two-dose series.

By adhering to the infant immunization schedule and following the newborn vaccination guidelines, parents can ensure their babies are well-protected from preventable diseases. Additionally, it’s helpful to consult newborn parenting tips to make the vaccination process as smooth as possible. Always refer to the LIC (Local Immunization Committee) recommendations for updated vaccination schedules and guidelines to safeguard your child’s health.

Side Effects Of Vaccination

Vaccination given at birth and later is generally safe for newborns. However, mild side effects such as pain or a rash at the site of the injection can sometimes be noticed. In such cases, it is advisable to take the following measures:

  • To help lessen swelling, pain, and redness at the injection site, use a cool, wet towel.
  • Soak in a cool sponge bath to lower fever.
  • Consult your baby’s physician about giving them a non-aspirin pain reliever.

Infant immunization is crucial for ensuring your baby’s health, and these mild side effects are typically short-lived and manageable.

FAQs

The majority of vaccination side effects are not harmful. Every medication, including immunizations, has potential side effects. However, these adverse effects are typically mild.

Delaying or spacing out vaccines offers no known benefits for children. In fact, it puts them at risk of developing diseases during the delay period.

Compared to the bacteria contained in vaccines, babies’ immune systems are stronger and they can withstand considerably more infections. The amount of germs in vaccines is just a small percentage of the germs babies’ immune systems deal with every day.

Reference 

https://iapindia.org/pdf/vaccine-information/COMBINED-VIS.pdf
https://iapindia.org/pdf/vaccine-information/MMR-VACCINE.pdF
https://www.who.int/health-topics/vaccines-and-immunization#tab=tab_1     
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/fact-myth-immunizations.html
https://www.bfwh.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/TB_BCG_baby_leaflet.pdf
https://iapindia.org/pdf/vaccine-information/TYPHOID-VACCINE.pdf

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