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While children are full of energy, their immune system is still compromised when it comes to certain infections and diseases. This is especially true if you have a newborn or a baby because they have a higher chance of catching diseases like whooping cough, measles, and tetanus. Vaccinating your kid helps to ensure that they are protected against these infectious diseases.
By producing antibodies, vaccines help strengthen the immune system against a particular infection. It also effectively prevents the spread of various life-threatening diseases within the community. Organizations such as the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Food and Drug Administration of USA (FDA), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ensure that the vaccines issued are effective and safe to be used by the public.
Vaccination During COVID-19
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With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, most of us have become extremely cautious about the mundane things that we do in our day-to-day life. And rightly so, for the most part. Now we think twice before going out for a walk or meeting up with our pal. And parents are no different. Most of us are quite apprehensive when it comes to taking our kids out, thanks to the increasing number of Covid cases in our country. However, this should not stop you from getting your kids vaccinated at the right time. It is crucial that you vaccinate your children against various diseases so that they grow up healthy and safe. The CDC and the WHO have laid down a list of precautionary measures that parents can follow to help vaccinate their kids without contracting COVID-19. Please find these steps below.
- Make sure that you make an appointment with the clinic prior to your visit. This way, you can avoid any unnecessary waste of time waiting in a queue to get an appointment.
- It is also best to stay outside the clinic before it is time for your appointment. The chances of you contracting Covid are much lower when you are in an open area.
- While this is a no-brainer, make sure you wear your masks, gloves, PPE suits (if necessary) for maximum protection.
- It is also vital that you follow social distancing while you are at the clinic. Make sure you maintain a distance of 2 meters while you are waiting for your turn.
- Washing your hands thoroughly before and after the visit is crucial. You could also use a hand sanitizer that is formulated with 70 percent alcohol.
- If you are vaccinating a neonate, make sure to wrap them in a soft cloth to make them feel comfortable.
- It is also best that you do not carry any toys or other unnecessary objects while visiting the clinic. This way, you can minimize your chances of contracting the infection. Also, make sure that you do not touch the door handles and railings during your visit to the clinic.
- Make sure you follow the guidelines laid out by the clinic while you are there.
- It is best to opt for digital payment.
- Make sure not to bring along any senior citizens to the clinic.
You could also inquire with your general physician or pediatrician if you have further doubts regarding the visit.
What You Need To Know
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Below we have listed out a few other steps that you could follow to enjoy a pleasant visit at the clinic.
- As a parent, it is best that you learn about the vaccination that would be administered for your child. You could read up on its purpose and benefits to have a clear understanding of what your child is getting vaccinated for.
- You could ask for the composition of the vaccination administered to your child to ensure that it does not contain anything that might be allergic to them. You could further ask for the Vaccine Information Sheet (VIS) of the vaccine shot that your kid receives.
- If your child has a compromised immune system, it is important that you let the doctor know beforehand.
- Prepare to support your child before and after the shot.
- If your kid is 2 years or older, you could explain to them the purpose of your visit. Let them know that it is normal to feel a sting while getting the shot and that it won’t last for long.
While it is completely normal to feel apprehensive about visiting a clinic during the height of the pandemic, it is possible to do that without compromising on your health. We hope that this article helps you prepare yourself and your child to get their timely vaccine shot during these trying times.
