Toddlers are children between the ages of 1 and 3 years. For their holistic development and to shield them from potential health complications, parents must be aware of the vaccines that need to be administered to them, the number of doses required, and their timing.
In this article, we will discuss the recommended Childhood Vaccines for toddlers and explore how these vaccines help your child combat several life-threatening diseases. We’ll also highlight the importance of following the Immunization Schedule, understanding the Childhood Immunization Schedule, and reviewing a newborn immunization chart to ensure your child is protected at each stage of their development.
Why Is Vaccination Important For Toddlers?
How Do Vaccines Protect Against Childhood Diseases?
Vaccines offer robust protection against a spectrum of childhood diseases. Through rigorous scientific research and development, vaccines have been meticulously engineered to stimulate the body’s immune system, enabling it to recognize and neutralize pathogens before they pose a danger to the health of your child.
Adhering to the childhood vaccine schedule and childhood immunization schedule ensures that your child is protected at the right time, with appropriate doses. It is also essential to refer to a vaccination chart to track all the necessary vaccines. The development of vector vaccines has further enhanced vaccination options, ensuring comprehensive protection for children, as recommended by the LIC (Local Immunization Committee). Additionally, newborn immunization is a critical step in safeguarding your child’s health from the start.
Hepatitis A
Japanese Encephalitis
Flu
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Whooping cough, Haemophilus influenzae, Polio (5 in one) booster dose (DTP-Hib-IPV)
Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
Measles is one of the severe viral infections. Symptoms like fever, cough, and a runny nose are commonly seen when a baby is infected, usually followed by a rash that covers the whole body. Measles can lead to severe complications like seizures, ear infections, pneumonia, and even brain damage.
Mumps is a viral infection that can present itself with swollen and painful salivary glands. It can cause serious complications like deafness, brain damage, and swelling of reproductive organs such as the testicles or ovaries.
Rubella is another viral infection that can present itself with fever, sore throat, rash, and joint pain. If pregnant mothers are affected by rubella, it can lead to miscarriage or babies born with severe birth defects.
Vaccines against the above three infections are available in combination as one shot called the MMR vaccine. The first dose of the MMR vaccine is given at 9 months, and the second dose at 15 months. Adhering to the childhood vaccine schedule and childhood immunization schedule ensures that your child receives these important vaccines on time. You can track the vaccines using a vaccination chart, and the development of vector vaccines has further enhanced vaccine options for children.
Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV)
Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MCV)
Conclusion
As children grow older, their immune systems naturally mature, but vaccines provide an added layer of protection against life-threatening diseases. By bolstering immunity, vaccines not only safeguard your toddlers but also help protect communities by reducing the spread of contagious illnesses. This proactive approach to healthcare has proven to be one of the safest and most effective methods for preventing serious health complications and ensuring the well-being of future generations.
Adhering to the childhood vaccine schedule and the childhood immunization schedule is essential to ensure your child gets the necessary vaccines at the right time. Tracking these vaccinations using a vaccination chart is important for maintaining accurate records. Additionally, vector vaccines are emerging as a promising option for enhanced protection against certain diseases.
FAQs
Getting vaccinated ensures that a child receives the maximum level of protection against illnesses and related complications. It also plays a crucial role in preventing infant mortality. While there can be minor side effects of vaccines, these are typically gentle and resolve without intervention in the majority of cases.
Those who are not immune to a disease, such as those who have never had the illness or are unable to develop immunity due to a compromised immune system, are protected by herd immunity, also known as community immunity. Toddlers who receive vaccinations assist in preventing the disease from spreading to others who have not received vaccinations.
It has been demonstrated that receiving several vaccinations at once is safe, cost-effective, and time-saving. Empirical evidence indicates that receiving many vaccinations concurrently does not result in health issues. However, it is advised to consult a pediatrician and stick to the suggested vaccine schedule.
- https://iapindia.org/pdf/vaccine-information/PNEUMOCOCCAL-VACCINES.pdf
- https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/consumers-biologics/vaccines-children-guide-parents-and-caregivers
- https://www.indianpediatrics.net/dec2013/dec-1095-1108.htm
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7482790/
- https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/herd-immunity.html#:~:text=Herd%20immunity%20(also%20called%20community,have%20a%20weak%20immune%20system
- https://iapindia.org/pdf/vaccine-information/MENINGOCOCCAL-VACCINES.pdf
- https://iapindia.org/pdf/vaccine-information/MMR-VACCINE.pdf
- https://iapindia.org/pdf/vaccine-information/JAPANESE-ENCEPHALITIS-VACCINES.pdf
- https://iapindia.org/pdf/vaccine-information/HEPATITIS-A-VACCINES.pdf
- https://iapindia.org/pdf/vaccine-information/INFLUENZA-FLU-VACCINES.pdf
