Immunization is one of the most significant advances in public health and
is estimated to have saved more lives in Nigeria,Africa and the world by extension, subsequently over the past 50 years
than any other health intervention.Everybody wants to do what is best for his or her child.
Diseases are very dangerous. They
can kill. In fact, they kill infants, children and adults. But, there is a saying that goes “Prevention
is precisely better than cure”. It is good to prevent our bodies from getting diseases so
as to have good health. A healthy person will live long and will be able to
carry out all the activities expected of any living thing.
can kill. In fact, they kill infants, children and adults. But, there is a saying that goes “Prevention
is precisely better than cure”. It is good to prevent our bodies from getting diseases so
as to have good health. A healthy person will live long and will be able to
carry out all the activities expected of any living thing.
There are so many ways of preventing
our bodies from getting diseases.
our bodies from getting diseases.
Examples are making our body clean,
making our environment clean, drinking boiled water, cooking our food properly,
taking balanced diet, and doing exercises.
making our environment clean, drinking boiled water, cooking our food properly,
taking balanced diet, and doing exercises.
When all these methods are adopted,
our bodies would be free from most water-borne diseases (diseases contracted
through drinking and use of contaminated or unclean water such as cholera,
dysentery and typhoid).
our bodies would be free from most water-borne diseases (diseases contracted
through drinking and use of contaminated or unclean water such as cholera,
dysentery and typhoid).
Nonetheless, regardless of a clear knowledge about this deadly diseases that can
still find their way into the body, and once they get into the body, one
important way to fight them is by immunization, which must have been taken
before the diseases come into the body.
still find their way into the body, and once they get into the body, one
important way to fight them is by immunization, which must have been taken
before the diseases come into the body.
Therefore, in this
chapter, we shall learn about immunization, how the body
chapter, we shall learn about immunization, how the body
fight against infection, and those
diseases that can be infected by immunization. If you may ask, what is Immunization?
diseases that can be infected by immunization. If you may ask, what is Immunization?
Immunization is the process of
introducing vaccines into the body, to protect the body from certain deadly
diseases and infections. This is done by experts like doctors who give
vaccinations or inoculations, through injections. The injection of dead or
weakened disease causing organisms (germs) into the body is to enable the persons to develop antibodies (‘soldiers’ of the body that fight
diseases).
introducing vaccines into the body, to protect the body from certain deadly
diseases and infections. This is done by experts like doctors who give
vaccinations or inoculations, through injections. The injection of dead or
weakened disease causing organisms (germs) into the body is to enable the persons to develop antibodies (‘soldiers’ of the body that fight
diseases).
Immunity
The body some times acquires the
ability to stop its being affected by some diseases. This is known as immunity.
This is how this happens. Once disease germs enter the body, the body produces
antibodies. The antibodies react and destroy the germs. If these antibodies
have been made through immunization, the body makes them again to protect
itself against the particular harmful microorganisms.
ability to stop its being affected by some diseases. This is known as immunity.
This is how this happens. Once disease germs enter the body, the body produces
antibodies. The antibodies react and destroy the germs. If these antibodies
have been made through immunization, the body makes them again to protect
itself against the particular harmful microorganisms.
The white blood cells in the human
blood produce antibodies regularly to
blood produce antibodies regularly to
fight against this germs. At this
stage, the body is said to be immune to the disease.
stage, the body is said to be immune to the disease.
Note: different vaccinations are for
different diseases. Both children and adults can be immunized.
different diseases. Both children and adults can be immunized.
Administration
of immunizations
of immunizations
Immunization of any child begins
during pregnancy. The pregnant mother is usually subjected tetanus medication to avoid vaccine
at the ante-natal clinic, specifically when the pregnancy is about 20 weeks
old, while the second round is given 4 weeks later.
during pregnancy. The pregnant mother is usually subjected tetanus medication to avoid vaccine
at the ante-natal clinic, specifically when the pregnancy is about 20 weeks
old, while the second round is given 4 weeks later.
Diseases
that need immunization
that need immunization
There are seven diseases that
commonly cause preventable death in children. These are:
commonly cause preventable death in children. These are:
Measles
Tuberculosis
Tetanus
Poliomyelitis
Yellow fever
Whooping cough
Diphteria
The immunization
for these diseases is better taken from a reputable health
for these diseases is better taken from a reputable health
enter or hospital, where qualified
doctors nurses can do it in the right way without any error. The
table below shows the types of vaccine the types of vaccine children should
take, when to take them.
doctors nurses can do it in the right way without any error. The
table below shows the types of vaccine the types of vaccine children should
take, when to take them.
With respect to adults, immunization can
be given against small pox, cholera
be given against small pox, cholera
and all other diseases mentioned in
the table.
the table.
Item | Disease | Type of vaccines needed | Age at which it should be given |
1 | Tetanus | Tetanus | Early pregnancy, Ages 4 weeks, 6 months, 1 year and 4 years |
2 | Tuberculosis | BCG | 0-11 months |
3 | Polio | Oral polio | At birth, ages 6 weeks , 10 weeks and 14 weeks |
4 | Diphtheria, whooping cough | DPT | Age 6 weeks, 10 weeks and 14 weeks |
5 | Measles | Measles | 9 months |
My Summary
Without much emphasis, you know about the significance of car seats, baby gates and other ways to
keep them safe. But, do you know that one of the best ways to protect
your children is to effectively ensure that they are all properly vaccinated? Diseases can be prevented by taking
clean water and by immunization. Immunization protects people from
deadly disease.
keep them safe. But, do you know that one of the best ways to protect
your children is to effectively ensure that they are all properly vaccinated? Diseases can be prevented by taking
clean water and by immunization. Immunization protects people from
deadly disease.
The diseases that can be prevented
by immunization are polio, tuberculosis, measles, whooping cough. Tetanus,
yellow fever, and diphtheria
by immunization are polio, tuberculosis, measles, whooping cough. Tetanus,
yellow fever, and diphtheria
Vaccination has reduced the number
of deaths of children in Nigeria.
of deaths of children in Nigeria.
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information.
Written by Dr. John Nelson, a Health and Safety consultant with JPTS International