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Recently, I have been in contact with mothers and children and have observed quite a lot about childhood diseases. It aggrieves me to see children suffer and die of diseases that could have been prevented through vaccines. I have seen kids die of measles, those who suffer poliomyelitis, cases of mumps and many others. These devastating events are related to a wide number of parents opting out of immunization for some reasons which such as; not seeing a need for immunization, religious reasons, prevents conception, fear of needles or vaccine causing harm(vaccine safety). These reasons are false myths conceived by individuals which keep endangering the lives of children to the risks of infectious diseases.
One of the days I went out for my usual monitoring, a mother told me her ordeal how she had lost a child to measles infection and now knows the implications of not getting vaccinated.
Routine immunization is no longer new to mothers in this dispensation, especially for those who birth babies in healthcare facilities. Also, there has always been house to house immunization campaigns and sensitisations organized by some health agencies to increase immunization rate especially in rural areas and for those who may not get to the health facility.
Recommended Immunization Schedule
What is immunization?
Immunization describes the process whereby people are protected through vaccines against illness caused by infection with microorganisms.
Immunization is an effective way of protection and works by triggering the immune system to fight against certain diseases.
Immunization is a proven tool for controlling and eliminating life-threatening infectious diseases and is estimated to avert between 2 and 3 million deaths each year. It is one of the cost-effective health investments, with proven strategies that make it accessible to even the mist hard-to-reach and vulnerable populations.(WHO)
Why is it important for my child to get a shot?
- immunization prevents children from getting ill with infectious diseases. Hence, the more people are immunized, the less chance it will be for anyone getting infected.
- immunization is important to protect future generation
- to save your time and money.
A child being vaccinated
List of some infectious diseases that could be prevented through vaccination:
- Diphtheria
- Hemophilus influenza type B(Hib)
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Human papillomavirus(HPV)
- Influenza(flu)
- Measles
- Meningococcal
- Mumps
- Pertussis(whooping cough)
- Pneumococcal disease
- Polio
- Rotavirus
- Rubella
- Shingles(herpes zoster)
- Tetanus
- Varicella(chicken pox)
- Yellow fever
- Tuberculosis
- Cholera
- Dengue fever
- Typhoid fever
Immunization is considered safe not only for children, it's also important adults get vaccinated too.
Parents who choose to vaccinate often do so to avoid risk, but choosing not to vaccinate is the riskier choice.
Get a shot today!
Secure a healthy tomorrow!
Much love from me, @starbele
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