IMMUNIZATION FOR CHILDREN

Immunization is their birth right and they shall have it!!

Have you immunized your child yet? The question echoes like a riposte to a prayer. Immunization is the subject that conjures heated debate as to their efficacy, safety and reliability. A focal point that still remains is whether to immunize or not? 

These days an anti-vaccination upsurge has formed and many believe that immunizing children does more damage than good. Mindless, pointless, senseless, I must say!! Look at the epidemics of infectious diseases. They are spreading like demons. Look at the increasing number of child infanticide in India. Hopeless, shameful!!

Immunization should be designated as the most obvious advantage of all. Keeping your child nontoxic from all the life threatening illnesses is the prime reason why you should opt for vaccinations at first place. The long term health of your child is vital than any other factor.

Besides, as a good citizen I would like to emphasize a point. Although, physicians do educate parents regarding childhood infectious diseases and the vaccines against them, they should let the parents make their own decisions with or without their own personal bias or opinions. The pros and cons of childhood immunization are numerous, but an informed immunization is always an optimal decision.

Parents, in turn, should also assess certain benchmarks before a decision is made:

1.      What is the child's health history and present health status?

2.      What is the threat or possibility of the child getting the disease?

3.      What are the significances of the natural infection if contracted?

4.      How harmless is the serum that is available?

5.      Is the protection provided by the serum solid and long-lasting?

6.      Will the vaccine influence the apposite immune system?

7.       Is the route of vaccine administration compatible with the route of natural infection?

Vaccinations are proved to be the number one catalyst for the control of childhood diseases. However, the rural underprivileged child is still far from this ecstasy. Doctors have found it difficult to educate rural parents who believe that vaccination is a violation of their human rights. They do not wish to be forced into a decision that goes against their personal belief. Aren’t they putting their child at risk by depriving off their birth right?

Think India…..Think!

SAYALI PARAB