Why are immunizations important for your infant’s health?

Infants are particularly vulnerable to infections; that is why it is very important to protect them with immunization. Failure to immunize may mean compromising children’s healthy development and putting them at risk for serious diseases.

Today, most children in the United Arab Emirates lead much healthier lives while parents live with much less worry over dangerous diseases during childhood. Thanks to “Immunization” as it has turned out to be one of the biggest medical breakthroughs, making potentially life-threatening childhood diseases rare today. Often called vaccine or shots, Immunization is a simple yet effective way of protecting children early in life. It works by triggering the baby’s immune system (a germ-fighting machine) to build up antibodies that effectively respond to certain infections and diseases. So if the immunized baby comes in contact with these diseases, their immune systems are strong enough to fight against them and help protect their bodies from contracting the disease or greatly reduces its severity.

Immunize Your Child Against Diseases:

Here’s a list of diseases that can be prevented with vaccines:

• Diphtheria: DTaP shots provide protection against diphtheria. The disease can cause a thick covering in the back of the nose or throat, making breathing or swallowing difficult for infants.
• Haemophilus influenza: Often termed as HIB, this disease can do some really serious damage to your children’s brain and hear too.
• Hepatitis A and B: Hepatitis is a contagious liver disease that transmits through person-to-person contact, blood, bodily fluids, and contaminated food & water. Babies who contract it from their mothers end up becoming chronically infected; hence parents must ensure that
• their newborns get Hepatitis shots for strong immune systems.
• Measles: MMR shots prevent your infants from contracting the contagious disease of measles.
• Mumps: It’s a contagious disease with no effective treatment insight. It causes puffy cheeks, swollen jaw, fever, head & muscle aches, and tiredness.
• Pneumococcal disease: Make sure you keep your babies safe from it, as it causes ear infections, sinus infections, and pneumonia. It may lead to meningitis too.
• Polio: Potentially deadly infectious disease, polio can affect the brain and spinal cord; hence causing paralysis.
• Tetanus: It is characterized by painful lockjaw and muscle stiffness, and it may put a baby’s life at risk.
• Rotavirus: This may severely dehydrate your child by causing severe watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain.
• Varicella (chickenpox): Chickenpox causes an itchy rash of blisters with high fever, and can be life-threatening in babies with weakened immune systems.

Immunize Your Child On Time, Every Time

On-time vaccination throughout childhood is necessary so that your child develops adequate immunity before they are exposed to potentially fatal diseases. Parents are advised to vaccinate their children on time and keep track of their immunization records. Immunization may be completed by the time your baby turns 6. While your baby may be given multiple shots for the same disease at different ages and/or in combination with other vaccines, you must keep a careful record of your baby’s shots. Our Specialised Pediatrics at American Hospital Dubai keeps track of each brought for the vaccination; however, the person ultimately responsible for keeping track of a baby’s vaccinations is YOU. Once you’re here at American Hospital, please ask your pediatric for an immunization record form, keep it with your baby’s other documents, and make sure your Paediatrician signs and dates every immunization.
Speak to Us

We encourage you to take advantage of Immunization and Newborn & Infant Care services that are offered at American Hospital Specialised Clinics. To set up an appointment with our Paediatrics, please call at +971 43775500 or fill out a secure online form.