Vaccination and immunization
Vaccination is the term used for getting a vaccine I.e, having the injection or taking an oral vaccine dose.
Vaccine help the immune system to make antibiotics,which fight against a certain disease.They are
drugs given to people to fight against disease
Immunization
Immunization refers to the process of both getting the vaccine and becoming immune to the disease. It
can also be define as the process of giving a vaccine to a person to protect them against disease or
infirmity
Types of vaccines
There are different types of vaccine:these are the few I would like to mention in this article
1. Live-attenuated vaccines: These vaccines is used to cure a dieseas for a very long period of time Just
1 or 2 doses (of most live vaccines) can be used to cure a disease for a lifetime E.g.: Smallpox,
Chickenpox, etc
2. Inactivated vaccines: Inactivated vaccines do not provide lifelong immunity it is not as strong as Live
attenuated vaccine and must be taken again and again over time, but it has fewer or no side effects than
live attenuated vaccines.
3. Subunit/conjugate vaccines they provide a very strong immune response that targets key parts of the
germ. This type of vaccine can be used on almost everyone who needs it, including people with
weakened immune systems and chronic health problems.E.g.: Whooping cough, Hepatitis B,
Why is vaccines important?
1. Vaccines prevent infectious Disease
2. Vaccines reduces Deaths
3. Vaccines not only protect the vaccinated individuals but entire communities from contacting the
diseases as well.
4.They help you travel safely and comfortably.
5. They give newborn the chance to grow and have a healthy life
These are some vaccines for children Age 0 to 10 years and how they should be given
Chickenpox vaccine
Children should be given 2 doses of chickenpox vaccine. The first dose is given at 12–15 months and the
second at 4–6 years.
COVID–19 vaccines :Everyone age 6 months and older needs the COVID-19 vaccine according to current
CDC recommendations.
Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis; DTaP)
Children needs 5 doses of DTaP vaccine. The first dose is given at 2 months, the second at 4 months, the
third at 6 months, the fourth at 15–18 months, and the fifth at 4–6 years.
Haemophilus influenzae vaccines
Children should be given 3–4 doses of Hib vaccine the first dose is given at 2 months, the second at 4
months, the third at 6 months and the last at 12–15 months.
Influenza vaccine(Flu)
Everyone age 6 months and older needs influenza vaccination. Some children younger than age 9 years
need 2 doses.
Measles, mumps,rubella (MMR) vaccine
Children needs 2 doses of MMR vaccine. The first dose is given at 12–15 months and the second at 4–6
years.
Polio vaccine (IPV)
Your child needs 4 doses of polio vaccine (IPV) to protect them from paralytic polio. The first dose is
given at 2 months, the second at 4 months, the third at 6–18 months, and the fourth at 4–6 years.
Rotavirus (RV) vaccines
Your child needs 2–3 doses of rotavirus vaccine. The first dose is given at 2 months, the second at 4
months, and the third (if needed) at 6 months.
Consequences of delayed vaccination or immunization
It is important to make sure that all these vaccines are up to date and taken at their appropriate times,
if there is a delay, the body is put at risk of getting seriously sick. Any delay in vaccination may put the
child at risk of developing diseases.lt can also cause spread of disease within the community
