Find out the important vaccines that your baby should have in the first few months.
What can you read in this article?
- Important vaccines in baby’s first year
- Baby vaccines
- Can the baby’s vaccine be delayed?
Every year, it is necessary to review and review vaccine lists, to ensure that children are updated and continue to be protected.
How important a child’s vaccine is: Statement by experts
Immunization in a child’s first year is one of the most important things that all parents should give priority to.
Vaccines for babies in the Philippines | Image from Unsplash
According to Dr. Nicky Montoya, president of MediCard Philippines, a major HMO provider in the Philippines, said UNICEF and the Department of Health (DOH) have set vaccines according to age, whether young or old.
Dr. Red Piedad explained,
“Ang pagbabakuna ay importante para mapigil ang onset o pagkalat ng mga highly transmissible diseases sa mga bata, lalo na sa mga sanggol.”
He added,
“This will consequently decrease healthcare costs in treatment and preventing unnecessary stay or admissions in the hospital.”
There are regulated and mandatory vaccines in the EPI or Expanded Program of Immunization.
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All children should be given all the vaccines listed on the EPI. Especially in the first two years of the child. This is the strong message of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) in the United States and UNICEF, and the Philippine Pediatric Society, and the Department of Health.
Due to ongoing research, new vaccines are being designated. And there are vaccines only for countries where certain diseases are prevalent.
Bakuna Real Talks
Before we go through the details of the vaccines that should be given to our little ones, let’s first find out how important the vaccine is.
In a live webinar held by theAsianparent Philippines entitled “Bakuna Real Talks“, led by Suzi Entrata-Abrera, with the current Executive Director of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination Dr. Lulu Bravo, they answered one by one the important questions from our BakuNanay.
1. Is the Rotavirus vaccine still needed if the child is breastfeeding?
The answer is yes.
Often, children 1-year-old and younger get rotavirus. “Pinaka dangerous ‘yan at marami ang namamatay sa rotavirus na pagtatae between 6 months to 11 months or 1 year.”introduction by Dr. Lulu.
Many parents think that it is simply diarrhea and that babies are not taken to the hospital immediately.“Dahil ang rotavirus ay nakakasira sa iyong nutrisyon, nakakasira sa iyong immune, ‘yung mga susunod na sakit mo ay nagiging severe.”
The rotavirus vaccine should only be given to infants when they are 6 weeks old.
According to Dr. Lulu, the disease of diarrhea should not be neglected because it only causes malnutrition and other chronic diseases later on.
Screenshot from Philippine Pediatric Society
2. Why not just let it develop a natural defense against diseases and why do we need to be vaccinated?
Simple lang ang paliwanag ni Doc Lulu, “Ang pagbabakuna ay para iligtas ang buhay ng anak natin or mga mahal natin sa buhay.”
3. Can I just buy vaccines and inject at home?
Many parents today fear coming out because of the threat of COVID-19. That is why some people think that the vaccine should be given at home. But is it really possible?
According to Dr. Lulu,
“We don’t recommend that. The doctors don’t want to give a vaccine that they don’t know where it came from because it might be fake. ”
Vaccines like this are placed on the cold chain. That’s why it can’t just be given away or bought online to be taken anywhere.
4. Do we get free vaccines from barangay health centers?
According to Dr. Lulu,
“We do have BCG at birth. Binibigay ‘yan at saka Hepatitis b. Tapos after 6 weeks, babalik ka sa health center para bigyan ka ng pentavalent 5-in-1.”
Six vaccines will be given immediately and repeated after four weeks until the 3rd dose. For the measles vaccine, it will be given when the baby is 9 months old.
The vaccine is important for babies and children because it can protect them from serious diseases as they grow older.
“Vaccines also play a role in reducing the risk of infections that are not common but are associated with severe life-threatening conditions and/or disabilities. Before vaccines became widely available, many children died from diseases that vaccines now prevent.”
Expect mild side effects after the vaccine. You may experience fever, rashes or swelling in the area where the baby was vaccinated. But this should not be a concern, it is normal and only part of the vaccination.
“Side effects can occur with any medicine, including vaccines. In most cases, vaccines cause only mild side effects, if any, such as fever, rash or soreness at the injection site.
Slight discomfort is normal and should not be a cause for alarm. Paracetamol may be given if your child develops fever while cold compress may be applied for the pain and swelling at the injection site.”
If you ever notice strange or severe side effects such as a rapid rise in fever or any sign of the baby’s allergic reaction, ‘don’t hesitate to take him to the doctor right away.
Immunization Schedule
There are 13 recommended vaccines in the updated childhood immunization schedule of Filipino children aged 0 to 18 years.
For this year, here is the Childhood Immunization Schedule 2021 presented by the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS), the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines (PIDSP), and the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination (PFV).
Here you will find a visual summary guide for parents and doctors of vaccine recommendations for children in 2021.
The expanded program of immunization or EPI stipulates immunization for children 0 to 18 years old, explained Dr. Piedad.
The following are the EPI Vaccines o bakuna:
Birth up to 4 weeks
- BCG (Bacillus, calmette Guerrin)– It protects children against Tuberculosis and leprosy.
- Hepatitis B- Monovalent HPV is administered intramuscularly, and the first dose is in the first 24 hours after birth. The second dose is in the 4th week after the first dose or 1 to 2 months after the first dose/injection. While the third and last twelve are after 24 weeks postpartum or 6 months old. The vaccination schedule is different when the child is born pre-term. Hepatitis B can damage the liver and can cause cancer in old age.
6, 10, at 14 weeks
1. DPT
(Diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus) is given intramuscularly to protect the baby from the 3 types of diseases mentioned. The first injection is in the first 6 weeks after birth, and there is an interval of 4 weeks before the second and third twelve are given again.
There may be a fourth twelve when the child is 12 months or one year old. If 6 months have passed since give the third twelve.
All children including the mother need to be vaccinated against Tetanus.
Vaccines for babies in the Philippines| Image from iStock
2. OPV/ IPV
The booster dose is optional at the child’s 4th year of age and at least 6 months from the last dose. It provides protection against polio disease that causes disability. Due to weakness of the bones and difficulty walking or moving the leg.
3. Rotavirus
It is given by drops in the baby’s mouth, against chronic diarrhea. This vaccine is starting to become prevalent in our country, and in countries or areas that do not have access to proper health care. It is given in the 6th week after birth, and with an interval of 4 weeks after the previous dose. The last dose should be given no later than 32 weeks or 2 years and 8 months of age.
There are 2 types: the monovalent (RV1) given in series of 2 doses, and pentavalent (RV5) which is resistant to more strains of rotavirus, in series of 3 doses.
4. Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) and pneumococcal conjugate (PCV) vaccines
PCV (Pneumococcal Vaccine) is given at 6 weeks of age, and its primary vaccination has 3 doses, with an interval of at least 4 weeks, and with a booster at 6 months after the third dose.
PCV is not recommended for healthy or disease -free children 5 years of age and older, Dr. explains. Piedad.
Pneumonia is caused by pneumococcus bacteria or Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) bacteria. It is dangerous and deadly especially to young children.
These two bacteria also cause meningitis and other infections.
*A combination of 5 vaccines is available: DPT, hepatitis B and Hib vaccines are usually given at the same time.
Vaccines for babies in the Philippines | Image from iStock
9 months
1. MMR
MMR (Measles, mumps, rubella) is injected into a child aged 12 months or one year of age. It has 2 doses, and the second is given to children 4 to 6 years old, and it can also be given before 4 years of age. As long as it’s 4 weeks apart after the last dose, it is given at 9 months of age, but can be given at 6 months of age if there is an outbreak.
Measles can cause malnutrition, poor mental development, and deafness and blindness (hearing and visual impairments) and can be fatal if left untreated, so it is important to get the child vaccinated immediately. Vitamin A is also given to children to fight this disease.
In EPI, the 2nd dose of MMR is given by public schools to their students at the age of 13, added Dr. Piedad.
Vaccines for children
Each vaccine is age-appropriate for the child to ensure it is effective. Some vaccines require more than a dozen, or so-called booster shots.
Make sure it is also given to the child to maintain its effectiveness, Dr. advises. Piedad. Many more vaccines are available for children. But what is listed in the EPI and listed above are the regulated and mandatory vaccines.
Additional vaccines available at private clinics: Chicken Pox, Tetraxim, Flu Vaccine, and the latest Japanese Encephalitis (JE) vaccine.
In the Philippines, all public Health Centers provide free vaccines (all listed above) throughout the year for infants 0 to 12 years old.
In addition, the DOH carries out outreach immunization programs in remote areas and remote provinces and municipalities. Also with the help of UNICEF.
Each child is given a booklet or list of all the vaccines he or she has received. This is so that the doctor or pediatrician can see immediately, and the parents can remember what vaccine the child has been given.
SOURCE: Rappler
Vaccination and free vaccination in each barangay are in accordance with the law, or Presidential Decree 996, and Republic Act No. 10152.
It aims to ensure that all children, especially infants, and mothers have access to free vaccinations at government hospitals and barangay health centers for children 0 to 5 years of age.
Interview with mothers with children less than one year old: Pam Navarro, Gemini Bonilla Maddarag, Maria Lourdes King, Sharon Bangcayao-Matildo
Pwede bang madelay ang bakuna ni baby?
TheAsianparent Philippines conducted a live session on the proper health care of children during quarantine. It is directed by Doc Gellina Ram Suderio – Maala or better known as Doc Gel.
There are also many questions from moms about whether a baby’s or a child’s vaccine can be delayed.
According to Doc Gel, the advice of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines is ‘don’t delay a child’s vaccine. If possible, it is better for the parents to follow the given schedule.
But in today’s time, it is difficult for some of us to get out because of the pandemic we are experiencing. The question is, how can your child get the vaccine in the midst of a pandemic?
Doc Gel’s advice, talk to your pediatrician about what can be done with your child’s vaccine. If there is a way to meet and give the vaccine, it is possible. You can also ask your pedia if they have a clinic available to go to.
But on the other hand, a child’s vaccination can also be delayed due to catch up immunization. This is based on a conversation you have with your health care provider or your pedia.
“Delaying the vaccine, pwede rin. Pwede tayong mag delay ng vaccine kasi mayroon tayong catch up immunization. So that will be, kayo na ang mag-uusap ng health care provider niyo kung paano ‘yon gagawin.
But the earliest na pwedeng ibigay after the quarantine, the earliest na pwedeng ibigay yung vaccine after the quarantine, kailangang ibigay kasi marami ang kailangang hahabulin.”
The only thing that cannot be included in catch-up immunization is the Rotavirus vaccine. This is the vaccine that can prevent diarrhea in babies. The maximum age to receive it is 32 weeks or 8 months old.
Question: Doc, pwede bang madelay ang vaccine ni baby o ng isang bata since ngayon ay naka Enhanced Community Quarantine tayo?
Doc Gel: As much as possible po ang recommendation ay do not delay. Pero ngayon po sa kondisyon natin, we have to weigh the benefits over risks.
Kaya po if ide-delay, ok lang earliest possible po paglift ng ECQ ibibigay. If wala po means na magkita kayo ng inyong health care provider. Rotavirus po hanggang 8 mos lang pwede ibigay.
Here are the vaccines for babies in the Philippines that your baby needs. Also know why it is important that your baby has a vaccine.
Source:
UNICEF-DOH Brochure, Rappler, medicard.com, 1Science Mag
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