Waxing Vaccines With Dr. Caliganan of BJUFH
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The marvels of modern science have
propelled humanity to unprecedented heights of health and prosperity.
Among the many advancements that have allowed us to thrive are
vaccinations, which all but eradicated a number of debilitating diseases
that ravaged our ancestors. As a result, horrifying outbreaks of
tetanus, polio, and diphtheria are a thing of the past, and we can all,
quite literally, breathe easy knowing the folks around us don’t threaten
to bring down society with one errant sneeze.
Unfortunately however, a few misplaced
beliefs and widely debunked studies have called into question the
validity and efficacy of these hard-fought battles against microbial
warriors. And even for those folks who don’t consider themselves
devoutly “anti-vaxxer”, the global debate surrounding vaccinations means
separating fact from fiction, or skepticism from hysteria, is becoming
increasingly difficult.
What is the general timeline by which children should be vaccinated? What do those vaccinations prevent?Vaccines are given as soon as a baby is delivered. At birth, Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) and Hepatitis B are given. And throughout the child’s lifetime, other vaccines, such as diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, H. influenza type b, and polio are given on certain schedules. For a full list of recommended childhood immunizations, consult with a pediatrician.
What would you say to a parent who is worried about giving their child a “large” amount of vaccinations in one sitting?I would tell the parents that vaccines are generally safe. Side effects and adverse reactions may happen, but they are not really worrisome. Children in other countries like the US, UK, and Australia can actually receive multiple or simultaneous injections of vaccine in one visit, which can be well tolerated.
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If children are not vaccinated, they can
acquire the diseases which the vaccines prevent and they may suffer a
more severe manifestation from such disease. Vaccinations offer herd
immunity, so if a big population of individuals are vaccinated, other
people or children who are not vaccinated may benefit from herd immunity
and may be safe also from acquiring vaccine preventable diseases.
Do you know if the international schools in Beijing have vaccination requirements?I think International schools ask during admission about the vaccination status of the student and I think they also require that vaccines be updated in children.
Vaccination “horror stories” have been largely debunked. However, are there any valid concerns that a parent might have regarding vaccinations?
Vaccines and the process of vaccination
are generally safe. Some horror stories have been debunked already and
the benefits of getting vaccinated definitely outweigh the potential
risks or adverse reactions of the vaccination.
Photos: Pixabay, courtesy of Beijing United Family Healthcare
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