By Dr Mohd Iqbal Iyen | Consultant Paediatrician | Jesselton Medical Centre
INTRODUCTIONS
Immunization is one of the most effective preventative health measures and has saved countless children from death or serious disability. However, misinformation may lead parents to hesitate or refuse to immunize their children.
In the early stages of life, your child may be susceptible to various bacterial & viral infections which could affect their vital organs and bodily functions. Some of these pathogens cause mild complications while others may be terminal if left untreated.
WHAT IS VACCINES?
Vaccines provide pre-emptive immunity; while vaccination is the process of administering the vaccines into the body which can be done via injection, consumed orally, or through aerosol inhalation.
HOW IT IS WORKS?
Immunity is the body’s way of preventing disease. The immune system recognizes germs that enter the body (called antigens) and produces proteins called antibodies to fight them. Most of the time, the immune system isn’t able to work fast enough to prevent the antigen from causing disease, so the child still gets sick.
Nevertheless, the immune system “remembers” that particular antigen and if it reappears, the body will be ready and respond much faster next time round to prevent any infections. This protection is called IMMUNITY. Vaccination, on the other hand, helps your child develop immunity WITHOUT him/her getting sick in the process. Here’s how:
1. A weakened form of the disease germ is injected into the body
2. The body makes antibodies to fight these invaders
3. If the actual disease germs ever attack the body, the antibodies will return to destroy them.
TYPES OF VACCINES AVAILABLE IN MALAYSIA (LATEST IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULE 2016)
ARE VACCINES SAFE?
YES. In fact, experts agree that vaccines are even safer than Vitamins.
The most common minor side effects from vaccines are: swelling or tenderness at the injection site and fever; in which will resolve spontaneously within 48 hours post vaccinations.
IS IT SAFE TO HAVE MULTIPLE SHOTS?
YES. Getting vaccines is no extra burden to the immune system; even for babies. Scientific data shows that vaccination with multiple vaccines at the same time has no harmful effects on the normal childhood immune system.
WHAT ABOUT AUTISM?
Scientific studies have concluded that there is no link between vaccines and autism.
While the rates of autism continue to rise around the world, autism rates are no different in vaccinated and unvaccinated children.
Recent studies on autism suggest that children with autism have too many cells in a key area of the brain needed for communication, social and emotional development. This type of brain development occurs during the second trimester of pregnancy; LONG before a child gets any vaccinations.
WHAT ABOUT HOLISTIC MEDICINE AND BREAST-FEEDING? IS IT ENOUGH TO PROTECT YOUR BABIES?
Holistic medicines may be helpful for some conditions, but only vaccines provide specific immunity to diseases. Only vaccines have been scientifically proven to protect against whooping cough, measles, mumps, and other diseases.
Breastfeeding is very healthy for your baby, but breastfeeding alone cannot fully protect babies from diseases like whooping cough or measles. Also, antibodies passed on from moms to babies during pregnancy do not last beyond infancy.
WHAT ABOUT “NATURAL IMMUNITY?
Some people think getting a disease is the “natural” way to trigger the body’s immune response, but this comes at a risk; many vaccine-preventable diseases can have dangerous complications, like pneumonia, blindness, brain damage, and even death.
Vaccines safely trigger a natural immune response; but not the disease. Most vaccines are over 99% effective in preventing illness.
CONCLUSION
Having your child immunised; helps to protect them from many serious childhood infections, some of which may be life threatening. There’s no doubt that vaccines are the best option for both your child and the population at large. Com-pared to the risks of vaccinations, the complications of actually suffering vaccine-preventable diseases are much worse.
Don’t wait, make the right decision and see your doctor to have your child immunised today. Don’t neglect booster shots, as they must be completed in order to effectively protect your child.
For more information, please contact Jesselton Medical Centre at 088-366 333 or
for Emergency at 088-366 399. Find them at Metro Town, Off Jalan Lintas.
for Emergency at 088-366 399. Find them at Metro Town, Off Jalan Lintas.
Website: www.jmc.my
For the complete article about this subject can be read on this October to December 2016 issue of Parents Avenue Magazine.
*Disclaimer: All information is for your general reference only. We (Parents Avenue) do not accept any responsibility whatsoever in respect of such information.
