The World Health Organisation observed the World Immunization Week in the last week of April with the theme ‘The Big Catch-Up’. A child dies every 20 seconds due to a vaccine preventable disease. We catch up with Dr. Amit Dias, MD, from the Department of Preventive Medicine at the Goa Medical College to understand the importance of Immunization in saving lives and get answers to some frequently asked questions.

Q1. Doctor, what exactly is immunization?

Ans: Immunization is a process of artificially inducing immunity by vaccination (active immunization) or by giving antibodies (passive immunization). Vaccination refers to the process of giving the vaccine, whereas immunization is the process by which the person is made immune or resistant to infectious disease. Immunization protects children against the concerned vaccine-preventable diseases. Not giving the vaccine to the child could seriously affect the child’s health and even result in death or permanent disability.

Q2. Can you simplify and explain how vaccines act?

Ans: Vaccines contain a weaker (attenuated), killed, partial form of the disease-causing agent (virus or bacteria). When the antigen is introduced into the child’s body, it activates a protective response against the pathogen by generating specific antibodies without causing the disease. These antibodies, once produced, protect the child in case of a subsequent episode of infection. The duration of protection varies from vaccine to vaccine and the stability of the microorganism. As we saw from the COVID-19 pandemic, the viruses tend to mutate from time to time.

Q3. The baby has immunity against disease. So why are vaccines needed?

Ans: You are right, babies can get protection against some diseases in their mother’s womb or through breastfeeding. However, this protection wanes off gradually as the baby grows. Vaccines are necessary to protect children from the diseases. Understand the Fact- A Child dies every 20 seconds from a disease that could have been prevented by a vaccine. Vaccines have dramatically changed the health status of children in the world. Sometimes, we do not value prevention and we take its role for granted. Today, we have managed to eradicate smallpox because of an effective vaccine. We have eradicated Polio from India and most of the regions in the world, because of the Polio vaccine, similarly we hope to eliminate measles and rubella with the help of the MR vaccine. There is absolutely no doubt that vaccines are needed and one must give the child the vaccines under the Universal Immunization Programme.

Q4. Which vaccines are given under the Universal Immunization Programme in India? and when should they be taken?

Ans: The figure below shows all the vaccines that have to be given to children. There are several new vaccines introduced and all are being provided free of cost under the programme. There are several other vaccines also available and may be given to protect the Child.

Q5. Which diseases do the vaccines provided under the Universal Immunization Programme protect us against?

Ans: Vaccines given under the Universal Immunization Programme, protect us against the following diseases. 1. Polio 2. Hepatitis 3. Tuberculosis 4. Diphtheria 5. Pertussis 6. Tetanus 7. Haemophilus Influenzae Type B related diseases 8. Rotavirus diarrhea 9. Pneumococcal disease 10. Measles 11. Rubella 12. Japanese Encephalitis

Q6. Is the protection from vaccines lifelong?

Ans: The protection lasts for several years. In some cases, it can give lifelong immunity. However, several factors affect its efficacy. The Cold Chain for example has to be maintained. There is no point in giving a vaccine that has lost its potency due to heat. To boost immunity, booster doses of the vaccine are also provided under the program.

Q7: What should the mother do if she forgets the due date of the child’s vaccination by several months?

Ans: The mother should take the child to the physician and in most cases, he will decide to continue with the schedule. There is no need to restart the schedule.

Q8. What is your message to the readers?

Ans: Vaccine-preventable diseases continue to cause substantial clinical and economic burden in the community. The vulnerable populations are the ones most likely not to get the vaccine and efforts need to be made to catch up with them. Around 2-3 million lives are saved each year due to routine immunization. Like every drug, it does have side effects, but the benefits are far more – so BE WISE and IMMUNIZE !!

Source: MOHFW JUNIOR About the expert: Dr. Amit Dias is a senior faculty at the department of Preventive & Social Medicine at the Goa Medical College he has an MD in Preventive and Social Medicine and a Diploma in tropical Medicine form the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK. He has worked on ensuring optimal vaccine coverage for the children in the community