It has come to my attention that some People in New Zealand voluntarily did not immunize their children because of their preconceived notions. And as result the children who did not receive the vaccine developed Measles and there was a measles outbreak in that area. Let’s look at some facts about Immunization:
What is Immunization?
Your body has a defense mechanism called the immune system. The immune system virtually protects us against any kind of infections by the amount of antibody secreted against that agent.
Now, Immunization is the process of introducing deformed agents which has no virulence. These agents when introduced in the body are used to produce antibodies against them. These immunizing agents help create memory antibody’s that acts as a storage pool and when the body comes into contact with those agents acts against it.
What are the types of Immunization?
Immunization is mostly of two types: Live attenuated and Killed ones.
Both of them are equally safe but when a person is immunocompromised the live attenuated one are contra-indicatory.
Let’s look at the list of Live attenuated: (mostly given at birth)
- BCG
- Oral Polio
- MMR
- Influenza
Killed vaccines: (Mostly given to adults)
- Rabies
- Hepatitis B and A
- Japanese Encephalitis
Toxoids:
- Diphtheria (children )
- Tetanus ( adults and women of child bearing age )
Why should you get immunized ?
Do you want to get TB at a young age? In our part of the world BCG is given at birth due to high load of this disease and likewise you develop different diseases. Get those antibodies stored in the body, you never know when and where you will come into contact with any disease. Be prepared!
Have You Noticed?
You might have a mark somewhere in your arm ( right /left) , that’s you BCG mark, apparently I don’t have that mark, which does not mean that I did not have that shots.
WHO report of Immunization in Nepal:
I was reading the report yesterday, some details that caught my sight:
- Nepal was Polio free in 2009
- Rota Virus shots has still not been introduced in th e country
- Japanese Encephalitis shots is included in the national immunization program
- Neonatal tetanus is prevented at birth.
Last year when I was giving my second Tetanus Toxoid , I did experience pain in my left arm followed by a mild fever , but as the days passed by , the pain subsided and I was back to normal . Women who are in there teens, it’s advised to get TT dose course for a period of 5 years; it helps to save your baby from Neonatal tetanus!
Side Effects of Vaccinations include mild fever and pain around the injection site, these are declining in nature and you can take paracetamol to ease the pain.
Please Don’t make ideas about immunization,its always favorable to get these shots and I see no loss If you do it!
Go Get Your Shots People!
