World Immunization Week 24th to 30th April 2020
Press Release
Contributed by :Staff
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World immunization week is celebrated every year in last week of April to promote vaccination and emphasise its importance. The theme this year is vaccines work for all.
But with the COVID 19 pandemic affecting the lives of everyone across the world the focus has completely shifted to a vaccine for this dreaded disease. It is heartening to know that many vaccines are in development stage. Three vaccines are in early stages of clinical evaluation and 67 are in preclinical stage (including 6 from Indian pharmaceutical companies). Even with very rapid developments in COVID 19 vaccine, a new vaccine will take at least a year to be available.
REGULAR VACCINES DURING COVID 19 PANDEMIC
The WHO is recommending that the primary vaccines, flu and pneumococcal vaccines should be given as per schedule. Primary vaccines essentially means till the 9 months vaccine shot. The booster doses can be delayed till things are better or as per discussion with your pediatrician. WHO says if vaccines are being delayed, there is a high potential for outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles at this time, but mass vaccinations bringing together large groups of people should be avoided.
Many parents due to lockdown are not able to access healthcare facilities where vaccines are being given. In that case please do not panic, a delay of 2-3 weeks is totally acceptable in the given circumstances.
In hospitals the vaccination area should not have entry of children with fever, cough, and cold. The child should be given a bath after going home from the hospital. Do not go for vaccination if either you or the child has fever or cold or cough.
Flu vaccines and pneumococcal vaccines also should be given as per schedule. Children with underlying diseases like asthma, heart disease should specially not miss these doses. Elderly and high risk adults (chronic lung disease, asthma, heart disease etc.) also should not delay these shots.
CARE OF BABIES IN COVID 19 PANDEMIC
The pandemic is a difficult time for everyone but more so for parents of newborn babies who are delivered during lockdown. Breastfeeding is extremely important. That is going to help build your child's immunity besides giving complete nutrition. Do not stop breastfeeding if you have fever/ cough/ cold. Please consult your pediatrician if required. For children with mild illnesses it is better to go for online consultation with your pediatrician and only if the doctor asks to go to the hospital. But for newborn baby visits it is important to check baby for jaundice, weight gain and feeding issues which is not possible over online consultation. Because of fear of COVID 19 please don't miss these visits as diseases in the newborn period can have long term consequences. Before going to a hospital you can enquire if they are separating patients with fever/cough/cold and other babies. That should give you more confidence. Please do not ignore any severe symptoms because of fear of COVID 19. Most hospital emergencies are functioning and will treat your child accordingly. Most importantly for the safety of everyone keep practicing hand hygiene and social distancing.
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