Importance of Vaccination for your Baby

A vaccine is a measured dose of weakened or destroyed viruses or bacteria that are administered either orally or through injections in order to prevent certain diseases. These foreign bodies stimulate the natural immune system of the body to produce antibodies to fight against the diseases that these pathogens produce in normal circumstances. These antibodies immunize the body naturally against the possibility of future infections, and hence vaccination is crucial in the early stages of the baby’s life.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following vaccines for babies:

i) DtaP, which is administered at the end of the second, fourth and sixth month in order to protect the baby from diptheria, tetanus and whooping cough. An extra dose should also be given between the age of 15 and 18 months.

ii) A hepatitis B shot should be given immediately after birth, another by the end of the second month and the next before the age of 18 months.

iii) A couple of shots of hepatitis A vaccine should be given to the baby at the end of 12 and 24 months of age to protect her from this serious liver ailment.

iv) To protect the baby from meningitis and pneumonia, get her the Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) vaccine at the end of the second and the fourth month, and if necessary, at the end of 6 months of age.

v) A polio vaccine is also generally recommended together with the DtaP and Hib vaccines to protect the baby from this crippling disease.

vi) A flu shot should be given to the baby when s/he is 6 months old, ideally at the beginning of the winter season.

vii) Another necessary vaccine that babies must be given is the MMR, which prevents measles, mumps and rubella. This should be administered to the bay between 12 and 15 months of age, and another dose should be given anytime after 28 days of the first one.

viii) You should also give your baby a polio vaccine at the end of the second and the fourth month, and another dose between 6 and 18 months of age.

ix) The rotavirus vaccine should also be given to the baby at the end of 2, 4 and 6 months of age to prevent severe diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration and fever.

x) To protect your baby from chicken pox, you should give her a varicella vaccine between 12 and 15 months of age.