What You Need To Know About Vaccination

Why are vaccinations important?

Making sure that your child gets all of their vaccinations is one of the best ways to protect them and keep them safe from life-threatening diseases. Here are some benefits of vaccines:

1. They literally save your child’s life. Because of the advances in medicine today, when you vaccinate your child, they are protected against more diseases than ever before. Polio is one example of the powerful effect vaccines have had in the last four decades. While it was once one of the most feared and dangerous diseases in the world, it has now almost been entirely eradicated.
2. Vaccinations are safe and effective. They are only administered to children after long and careful reviews. Scientists, doctors and other health professionals may work on a single vaccine for years before finally releasing it to the public. They go through many trials to ensure they are as safe and effective as possible. However, it is important to note that vaccines, like other drugs, may cause some discomfort or pain, usually at the site of injection. This is nothing compared to the traumatizing effects of the diseases they prevent, though.
3. Vaccinations can help save you and your family time and money. There are many ways they do this. For instance, children with vaccine-preventable diseases are more likely to be denied attendance to schools or child care facilities. In this way, vaccines save you from having to home-school your child and other costs that come with your child spending all their time at home. They can also help you save money in this way: some vaccine-preventable diseases like polio can lead to prolonged disabilities. These inevitably lead to financial issues due to lost time at work, long-term disability care and medical bills. Getting your child vaccinated is, therefore, a good investment.
4. Immunizations protect future generations. Vaccines have helped to eliminate and eradicate many diseases that previously killed and maimed a lot of people. For example, smallpox was completely eradicated by vaccines. Today, children don’t have to get smallpox shots because the disease no longer exists. Therefore, by vaccinating against common diseases now, we create a future where your children may not have to worry about certain diseases being around to harm their own children.

How do Vaccines Work?

When vaccines are introduced into the body, they work by “training” the body’s immune system to recognize and fight certain pathogens. These pathogens can either be viruses or bacteria.

The presence of pathogen molecules triggers an immune response in the body. Your body produces antibodies that targets these pathogens. In this way, vaccines teach the body to recognize harmful pathogens and to remember them in future when you get exposed to the same again.

Understanding Child Immunization

Children need to be immunized several times over the first few years of their lives. This protects them against some of the most serious childhood infections. Younger children get immunized more because their immune systems are still quite underdeveloped. They do not work as efficiently as those of older children and adults.

Before any vaccine is given to your child, be sure to get all the information you need about the benefits and potential risks it may have. All this information is going to be provided by your health care provider. Consider each point carefully and ask as many questions as you need to.

Mild, common illness like colds or slight fevers should not delay your child’s vaccination. However, some underlying health conditions may necessitate withholding of your child’s vaccinations. Let your health care provider know if your child:

• Has had any severe reactions following any past vaccinations.
• Has had a live vaccine within the last month such as measles or tuberculosis
• Has a disease that lowers immunity, such as leukemia, or is undergoing treatment that lowers immunity, such as a steroid treatment with drugs like prednisolone
• Is sick at the time of vaccination.

Immunization Schedule By the Ministry of Health Malaysia

The following immunization schedule is fully subsidized by the Malaysian government. This means that all these vaccines are freely available at government health facilities.

Image source: Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia

Other Types Of Vaccines

There are other vaccines that are usually taken in private clinics or hospitals at a fee:

• Rotavirus vaccine: the first recommended dose is given at 6 weeks of age.
• Pneumococcal (conjugate vaccine): starting at 6 weeks of age, the child is required to complete 3 doses within the first year.
• The influenza vaccine: given to children above 6 months.
• Hepatitis A: given to children above 1 year in 2 doses 6 – 12 months apart.
• The chickenpox vaccine: given as a single dose for children 12 months to 12 years of age.

If you give birth in a private hospital, an immunization schedule card/booklet will be issued to you. This card will state all the types of vaccines that are available for your child, including those that can be administered at government facilities for free.

As a parent, you get to decide whether you want your child to be vaccinated at a government clinic/hospital or at a private facility. You can also opt to go to both, getting the free vaccines at government centers and the remaining vaccines at private facilities.

It is important to keep the immunization card or booklet in good condition as it will be needed when you enroll your child in school, including preschool.

References: Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia