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The impact of the COVID 19 virus has changed the way we live and work. Although now people have accepted the “new normal”, fear of the virus has led patients to avoid hospital visits. This has led to the interruption of routine vaccination visits and the postponement of crucial vaccines.
Although the fear of COVID 19 is understandable, how can we ignore the severity of vaccine-preventable infectious diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, polio, and the like? As health care experts and institutions like the World Health Organization have pointed out, even the temporary interruption of routine vaccination services can lead to secondary health crises like measles outbreaks that amplify the impact of the pandemic.
Now it’s more important than ever to remember the adage “Prevention is always better than cure.” Vaccines in children protect against a wide range of viruses and bacteria ranging from seasonal illnesses like the flu or chickenpox to life-threatening endemic infections like whooping cough, meningitis and pneumonia. Therefore, it is even more crucial to ensure proper vaccinations during a pandemic, considering that health resources are already overstretched to deal with COVID 19.
Why are children more susceptible to infections?
Childhood is the most vulnerable stage of human life. Children crawl on the floor, eat what they can get, share their toys with other children, and play with pets. In all these activities, the child is exposed to germs and this, together with the fact that his immune system is still immature, makes him more susceptible to contracting infections and getting sick. Vaccines prime and prime your child’s immune system to fight these germs without the risk of infection. Therefore, it is absolutely essential to maintain routine immunization schedules for children along with their routine growth and development screenings.
Why should vaccines be timely?
Vaccination schedules are designed according to the age of risk of contracting specific infections and to guarantee the maximum immune response. Therefore, when vaccines are given according to recommended schedules, the child is completely protected against these germs. Consequently, delaying or postponing vaccinations will leave the child vulnerable to these germs and put their health at risk.
Safety at the top priority
Hospitals are taking the utmost care to ensure a safe environment for visitors. They are limiting the number of people who visit the hospital every day. Visitor temperatures and travel history are compulsorily verified. Visitors and children are allowed after hands have been sanitized and masks have been put on.
Sanitation of common surfaces, the use of protective equipment and the maintenance of adequate social distancing are some of the main steps that are followed in hospitals to guarantee a safe visit. Hospitals also have a separate ‘fever clinic’ area for patients with flu-like symptoms to mitigate the risk of inadvertent exposure from visitors.
Regularly scheduled vaccinations are extremely important. Avoiding or delaying it due to COVID is definitely not the solution, especially since fighting the pandemic will go a long way. Make an appointment with your pediatrician and be sure to continue vaccinating your child without interruption. Vaccines are the most cost-effective preventive health intervention ever! Be wise, vaccinate!
