Having a baby is very rewarding. It is indeed the most fulfilling obligation in the world. However, having a baby requires patience because babies need a lot of hard work from their parents for them to be safe and healthy.
One thing that will ensure that your babies are protected is immunization. I’ve listed below the vaccinations that your babies should receive as based on the Expanded Program on Immunization by the World Health Organization. These vaccines are mandatory.
1) BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) – this is a live attenuated (long and narrow) vaccine against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB). M. tuberculosis is transmitted through droplets that an infected person spreads when coughing or sneezing. When inhaled by someone else, it infects the lungs. Babies and children that are infected lack energy, have no appetite and lose weight. This vaccine is usually given at birth.
2) DPT (Diphteria, Pertussis and Tetanus) -
- Diphteria is caused by the microbe Corynebacterium diphtheriae which infects the tonsils and parts of the throat. The skin is also infected at times. It is transmitted through sneezing and coughing and it usually begins with a cold, sore throat and fever. You can identify this by checking your baby’s throat. If a small whitish membrane is present at the back of the throat, then he has diphteria.
- Pertussis or “Whooping Cough” is caused by the microbe Bordetella pertussis, it infects the respiratory tract. This is characterized by coughing with high-pitched breathing. It can be fatal to infants and young children who, are most susceptible to the disease.
- Tetanus, on the other hand, is not considered infectious. It is caused by the neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium tetanii . A person gets tetanus when the spores of the said bacterium contaminate his open wound. This neurotoxin can cause locked jaw, muscle stiffness, spasms and in severe cases, seizures.
3) Polio – this is a viral infection of the nerves that control muscles. This infection can lead to paralysis, usually in the leg. Vaccine for polio is in two forms: OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine ) and the IPV(Inactivated Polio Vaccine).
4) Measles – Many of us think that this is a kind of skin disease but measles is actually a respiratory disease caused by a virus and is spread through coughing and sneezing, or any any other way of contact with the nose or throat secretions of an infected person. Usually this disease is not serious but, if not treated right away, can lead to severe complications like encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), diarrhea, and respiratory infections like pneumonia.
