Immunization

You have the power to protect your baby from dangerous illnesses like measles, tetanus and hepatitis. Immunization is the process whereby a person is made immune or resistant to a disease which is infectious. Vaccines when administered, stimulates the body’s immune system to fight against microorganisms that cause diseases. This protects the person against subsequent infection. Doctors and other public health experts have worked hard to come up with the optimal vaccination schedule that provides complete protection against infectious diseases such as Tuberculosis, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Measles, Typhoid, Hepatitis A and B, Chicken pox etc. If these vaccines are skipped or delayed, they lead to an increased chance of you being vulnerable to these diseases, thus it is advisable to be given at the right time as advised by your doctor. Vaccination in India is carried out under the Universal Immunization Programme which is run by the government, these are the necessary vaccines required to be given to all children. The Indian Academy of Pediatrics also has its own schedule containing additional vaccines which can be given after discussion with the doctor. IAP Immunization schedules are modified every few years so that newer vaccinations can be added.