Recommended vaccines for children

We all know that in order to prevent serious illnesses from affecting our children we must take them to the doctor at predetermined periods for vaccination. Parents need to know when it is the most indicated moment for such a shot and against which disease is their child protected.

In this article parents can find information regarding the immunization schedule for children aged 0-6 years and the diseases their children will be protected from.

At birth your child will receive the first shot of the HBV vaccine. HBV refers to hepatitis B virus which infects the liver and during adulthood can cause liver cancer and death. The vaccine against this virus consists of 3 shots. The first shot is given at birth, the second between 1 and 2 months and the third between 6 to 18 months. It is important not to skip any of the 2 or 3 shot or else the previous vaccination will be ineffective.

Another important vaccine is the DTaP vaccine good against: diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. Diphtheria attacks the heart and the throat causing heart failure and death. Tetanus causes muscle spasms and finally death. Pertussis is responsible for severe coughing and can lead to pneumonia, convulsions and brain lesions.
The DTaP vaccine must be taken in 5 shots: the first during month 2, the second in month 4, then month 6, month 15 and between year 4 and 6.

At month 2, month 4 and month 6 your child will be given the Hib vaccine which will keep him safe from Haemophilus influenza type b. Hib can cause pneumonia, meninigitis and throat infections that can lead to choking. Sometimes the Hib vaccine can be given together with the HBV vaccine in the same shot.

Another vaccine given at month 2, 4, 6 and 12 is the PCV (the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine). PCV will protect your child against severe ear infections and meningitis.

The IPV (inactivated poliovirus vaccine) is made for preventing polio, a serious illness that can cause muscle pain and paralysis of one or both legs or arms. It can lead to death. The vaccine is given in 4 shots, at 2, 4, 10 months and the last shot between 4 and 6 years.

The vaccine against influenza can be given to our little ones after month 6 and must be given every year to protect him from getting the flu.

The MMR vaccine is against Measles, Mumps and Rubella, and is given in 2 shots at month 12 and between 4 and 6 years.

The Varicella vaccine is made against chickenpox and can be given to children after they are 12 months old. This vaccine can also be given at any time to those who have never been vaccinated against chickenpox.

And finally, the MPSV4 vaccine created for preventing meningitis caused by 4 strains of the bacteria called Meningitidis. The symptoms of this type...(read the full article at the link below)