There’s no sugar coating it – it’s scary bringing your children outside during a pandemic. While we adults know to keep from touching our faces and to wash and sanitize our hands regularly, children have yet to grasp the concept of germs and hygiene. We know many new parents who only venture outside with their babies and toddlers when it’s time to see the doctor, which begs the question: does your child still need to get vaccinated even if they stay home all the time? Spoiler alert: the answer is a resounding YES.
We never really know what goes on inside our children’s bodies no matter how much we may dote upon them and how infrequently we let them leave the house. The truth is, sometimes harmful bacteria viruses manage to find a way to intrude and wreak havoc – even within the comfort of our own home. But with regular vaccination, many of these threats can be avoided. That’s why ensuring your little one receives their routine vaccination during a pandemic is of utmost importance.
Why should you continue routine vaccination even during COVID – 19?
The simple answer is because vaccines save lives. Ensuring routine vaccination is the MOST important step that every parent must take to maintain the good health of their kids. It can prevent many serious ailments like tuberculosis, measles and many more easily preventable diseases.
And at a time when there’s already a viral pandemic going on, you definitely want your child to have all the immunity they can get.
Some tips for vaccination during a pandemic.
Check and understand the SOP (standard operating procedure) from the clinic or hospital that you choose.
It’s essential to understand the SOP of the clinic or hospital where you choose to get your child vaccinated. Get to know the routine and protective measures followed by the organisation. Ask them what’s the schedule and the process of the vaccination. Get everything cleared beforehand in order to avoid unnecessary confusion on the day of the vaccination.
If possible, bring someone along on the appointment day.
The goal is to get it done and get out. To avoid unnecessary wastage of time and to get the process over with as soon as possible, it is advisable to bring a companion. He/she can help you with registration and payment so that your only responsibility would be to bring your child to the doctor and leave immediately after the vaccination is complete.
Prepare the essentials such as face mask, face shield, sanitiser and wet wipes.
With the COVID-19 pandemic raging around us, face masks are absolute essentials. If your child has trouble breathing through a face mask, perhaps a face shield would be more comfortable for them. Also remember to bring a sanitiser and wet wipes along with you in case water and hand wash are not readily available. Most importantly, prepare all these items well beforehand so that you don’t miss out on anything while rushing out the door to the vaccination appointment.
Final words
With the ongoing pandemic, most parents fear for the safety of their kids while they are being taken to the clinic to get vaccinated, which is totally understandable. But the good news is that if you carefully follow all the tips for vaccination as mentioned above and you are stringent with the SOPs, you and your little one should be okay. No matter the obstacle, continuing your child’s routine vaccination is essential in order to enable them to lead a long and healthy life.
