What are the vaccines?
A vaccine is a product that is applied to people susceptible to being infected with infectious germs, in order to protect them against the consequences of the disease they cause, its complications or death.
Vaccines are made with the microorganisms that cause the infectious disease or fractions of these.
The objective is to teach the body to identify it and generate weapons or active immunity to defend itself against this pathogenic agent and know how to attack it in case it enters the body externally.
Classification of vaccines:
1- Live (attenuated) vaccines:
These vaccines contain the live infectious agent, but artificially weakened so that it does not cause the vaccinated person the disease that is to be prevented.
Usually, they generate defenses in a similar way to the natural disease, but they can present more reactions.
2- Killed (inactivated) vaccines:
These vaccines have the microorganism inactivated by physical or chemical methods or fractions thereof.
Storage of vaccines:
Once made, ALL VACCINES must be subjected to a cold chain or network that keeps them fit to induce the required protection.
The cold chain consists of an organized system of transport, conservation, storage and distribution of vaccine products, to guarantee their immunizing potency from their manufacture to their administration under the responsibility of trained personnel.
The PROMESA project recommends that whenever babies are vaccinated, be aware that the applied vaccine maintains the cold chain, observing where the vaccine is extracted from to be administered.
Ex.: Refrigerator, cavas etc.
The vaccination card and the civil registry of the baby should always be brought to the vaccination service.
Why should boys and girls be vaccinated?
Children under 5 years of age are a vulnerable group because they have not faced most infectious agents and their immune (defensive) system is in the process of maturing.
For this reason, vaccination is essential, so that the child develops his defenses against pathogens that can enter the body.
Reactions to vaccines:
Vaccine products currently in use are sufficiently safe and there are few contraindications.
It is necessary to avoid the false beliefs that are generated in this regard. In case of presenting any reaction to the vaccine, it is essential to consult with the doctor, who will study the case and take the respective course of action.
Reactions to vaccines depend on several factors such as: the type of vaccine, dose, route of administration and handling of the vaccine.
As for the vaccinated, the reaction depends on genetic factors, age, nutritional and immune status, sex and debilitating diseases.
If you have any doubts regarding the child's health status before vaccinating, consult your pediatrician who will be able to guide you appropriately in this regard.
Usefulness of palivizumab and acellular vaccines:
Palivizumab is not a vaccine , it is specific antibodies against the Respiratory Syncytial Virus and it is recommended to apply it to babies under 1 year of age with Congenital Heart Disease.
The foregoing, in order to avoid serious infection by respiratory syncytial virus, which, if it occurs, would lead to serious and fatal complications.
Also, it is recommended in children with Complex Congenital Heart Disease the application of acellular vaccines, which have similar efficacy to a conventional vaccine.
Their difference is that they could cause fewer adverse reactions, such as fever or irritability.
Ask the child's treating physician about Palivizumab and acellular vaccines; he will define if they are necessary.
Important information:
The EPI stands for "Expanded Program on Immunization" and is a joint effort of the nations of the world and international organizations to achieve universal vaccination coverage to reduce illnesses and deaths caused by vaccine-preventable diseases.
The vaccines included in the EPI are free for all children under 6 years of age.
Those that are not found are called Complementary Vaccines, among them are:
- Meningococcal vaccine
- Hepatitis A vaccine
Myths:
It is clarified that breastfeeding IS NOT A CONTRAINDICTION for the reception of vaccines by the mother or the child, nor does it impede the immune response of the child to the vaccines that are applied.
Therefore, the recommendation is to vaccinate.
