Immunisation is one of the most essential aspects of child care. Although parental apprehension about taking their children for vaccinations in the current scenario is understandable, it’s important to follow the recommended vaccination schedule.
By Dr. Mona Kulpati
Living in the time of COVID-19 is challenging and confusing in equal measures. Parental apprehension about taking their children for vaccinations is understandable. Travel restrictions, stay at home orders, fear of exposure, and unpreparedness to maintain supply and safe administration of vaccines has fuelled anxieties.
However, it’s important to remember that immunisation is an essential health service and one of the most economic as well as effective ways of maintaining child health. Let’s take a look at some of the common dilemmas regarding child immunisation in the current scenario.
To do or not to do
‘Should I take my child for vaccination to the doctor?’ that’s the most common question asked by anxious parents. And the answer is yes. Take your child for vaccination after consulting with your doctor on the phone and taking a prior appointment.
In addition to nutrition, growth monitoring, and developmental assessment, immunisation forms the fourth vital limb of child care. Immunisation prevents the occurrence of common illnesses in children. Apart from primary immunisation – BCG, Hepatitis B, and oral polio drops at birth – children also need other vaccinations for protection against medical conditions, such as diphtheria, tetanus toxoids and pertussis (DTP), measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), hepatitis B, hepatitis A, rotavirus, typhoid, influenza and chickenpox, to name some.
Certain vaccines, such as the HPV vaccine and boosters could be deferred to a later date within the permissible time range, after discussions with your doctor. However, others cannot be delayed. For instance, the rotavirus vaccine – which prevents diarrhea in infants – needs to be given on time as it has strict time limits. If missed, it cannot be given later. Similarly, the annual influenza shot should be taken before the monsoons start, while the rabies vaccine needs to be administered as soon as possible in the event of a dog/animal bite.
Precautionary measures
Healthcare facilities and doctors have clear guidelines to safely immunise children during the pandemic. These include:
The doctor may ask you to wait in your car soon after vaccination for 15-20 minutes to check for an adverse reaction to the immunisation. This is to avoid crowding at the clinic. In case the child develops a fever at home, the doctor will recommend the next steps.
It’s important to notify the doctor if the child has had any contact with a COVID positive/symptomatic carer. Also, if there is any long-standing medical condition, the doctor must be duly informed.
Currently, the healthcare infrastructure is burdened by the pandemic. Disrupted immunisation may further overwhelm the system by increasing the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases like diphtheria, measles, and polio. There could also be an increase in child mortality due to diarrhea, pneumonia, and meningitis. The need of the hour is to be pragmatic and not compromise on the wellbeing of our children.
(The author is a Consultant Pediatrician with Madhukar Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Delhi, India)
