Most Indian parents seem confused when it comes to selecting the most important vaccines that will protect their babies from various diseases like hepatitis, measles, chicken pox, polio, and tuberculosis.
Here are 10 important vaccines for Indian babies:
1. Polio
Though India has been declared a polio-free nation, that does not mean you should not vaccinate your baby against it.
Polio is an infectious disease caused by the poliovirus that affects the brain and the spinal cord resulting in paralysis. You may either opt for oral drops or injectable polio vaccine.
2. Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B virus infects the liver and the symptoms do not show until six months. Hence it is very important to protect your child against this disease at the time of birth itself.
3. Mumps
This viral infection needs to be attended to from an early age as major diseases that can affect babies with Mumps are deafness, encephalitis, and infertility in boys.
4. Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is a bacterial, communicable disease that affects the lungs. Your baby can be protected against this disease with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine.
5. Tetanus
One of the most lethal diseases, tetanus caused by bacterial toxins directly attacks the nervous control of the body. The vaccine for this is diagnosed between 6 months to 2 years of age.
6. Rotavirus
One of the leading causes of diarrhea in children, rotavirus generally affects children aged between three months and two years of age.
7. Influenza
Commonly known as flu, influenza is a highly contagious viral infection that mostly affects children under medical supervision. The vaccine is recommended for children over six months.
8. Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
Easily spread, MMR is transmitted via coughing and sneezing. the vaccine comes in two doses – one, between 12-15 months and second, between 4 to 6 years.
9. Varicella (Chickenpox)
A dangerous viral illness, chicken pox, with fever, sore throat, fluid-filled blisters, and rashes, can even lead to death. Vaccination is provided between 12-18 months of age.
10. Hepatitis A
Though the number of affected cases has decreased, Hepatitis A is a viral disease that affects the liver. Vaccination is recommended for children aged between 12-23 months.
Big Wire