A shot in the arm (saves lives)
Even as the number of children getting vaccinated globally has decreased by 40–65%, experts reiterate the importance of getting kids vaccinated
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the world is currently seeing an alarming 40–65 percent decrease in the number of kids who are getting vaccinated. In fact, according to a report published by UNICEF in March 2020, at least 80 million children are at the risk of contracting vaccine-preventable diseases such as diphtheria, measles and polio simply owing to a delay in immunisation. The numbers have further worsened after many governments across the world advised their citizens to avoid hospitals especially during the lockdown subsequent to the pandemic for the fear of contracting the infection.
Even in India, fearing that a trip to the hospital may put them or their children at risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus, parents have been delaying the regular vaccinations that they need to give their kids.
However, Dr Parag Dekate, consultant paediatric and cardiac critical care as well as a paediatrician at Rainbow Hospitals, asserts that parents should not postpone visiting an OPD to vaccinate their kids for the fear of the pandemic as the risks are lesser there than, say, in the grocery store you step in to pick out your week’s provisions.
“Please be assured that most hospitals maintain standard precautions and all the doctors and paramedical staff ensure that whoever is visiting hospital follows all standard precautions too. Additionally, there is a proper segregation of patients and physical distancing practised in hospitals, which ensures that there is very low risk of contracting the virus in any OPD area. Lot of hospitals even have specific timings for routine baby visits and vaccinations, specifically also to further decrease parents’ anxiety of their babies getting exposed to the virus. In fact, there’s a relatively higher risk of contracting the virus in supermarkets if they or their staff do not follow proper precautions,” explains Dr Parag.
ALL IN GOOD TIME
Even as they regularly interact with parents to get their babies vaccinated, many experts claim that parents are seemingly skipping vaccinations for even diseases such as tuberculosis, hepatitis, meningitis, polio, diphtheria, rubella and rotavirus.
However, Dr Parag reasserts that vaccinations are important to prevent people from contracting known and preventable diseases. Then, pointing out how despite the times even WHO has reiterated the need to continue routine vaccinations, the doctor adds, “We save more life just because of a simple intervention like a vaccination. So in the first nine months of a child, parents need to specifically ensure their children get vaccines for primary preventable diseases.”
The doctor reiterates that the initial vaccinations before the child turns nine months old have to be given to the children on time though the booster doses can be slightly delayed. “While slight delays in booster vaccination doses are acceptable during such unavoidable pandemic situations, parents must be in touch with their babies’ primary paediatrician preferably over video consultations to understand the appropriate timing to get those other shots for their kids. Because it is important that parents follow the timings of vaccinations while taking all standard precautions to avoid getting infected by the virus,” elaborates Dr Parag, adding those seeking doctors’ advice for emergency concerns can check with the hospital/clinic about their routine baby visiting hours.
But how long is it safe for parents to delay certain vaccinations?
“For primary vaccination that is below 9 month we shall follow standard timings as per age, but in unavoidable circumstances, the vaccination can be delayed by one to two weeks and the booster vaccination doses, for two to four weeks,” clarifies the doctor. “In fact, it is okay to give the child two to three shots together, though generally doctors would not recommend more than two shots at once as it might cause more pain for the baby. But once the child is over 5 years old, and can tolerate and manage the pain, doctors can even give around three shots at a time.”
Delay in getting children vaccinated can result in the absence of or a reduced immune response for a particular disease in the case of single or repeat vaccinations, respectively. This may result in an increase in these communicable diseases, which will in turn cause a rise in the morbidity and mortality and thus the financial burden to not only the family but also the healthcare system. “So also, a pandemic should not disturb the other disease prevention programmes as this may cause a real setback to decades-old programmes that are inching towards their goal of minimising communicable diseases such as TB, measles, diphtheria, pertussis, malaria, etc.
— Dr Sasikala Kola, obstetrician and gynaecologist
I think a slight delay is manageable and not lifethreatening. Some vaccines have a permissible waiting period for interruption or delay. New-borns all get their BCG, OPV and Hepatitis B at the maternity hospital there are delivered in. However, the next set of vaccines is also a must, almost all which need to be given in the first year of the baby’s birth. Stay in touch with your paediatrician and find out which of the vaccines can be delayed and which cannot be. The delayed vaccination comes into play, worsening infections when kids start interacting with each other in playgrounds or in classrooms and school arenas. Influenza vaccine especially is an absolute must during the pandemic time.
— Dr Swapna Yendru, Swapna Health Care, gynaecologist & obstetrician