Learn everything about the timely vaccination of your baby

Vaccines contain germs, viruses or bacteria that cause disease, dead or debilitated, which when injected or taken stimulate a response in the immune system of the individual, Causing them to produce antibodies or substances that recognize them and help eliminate them, before they produce disease. After administering the vaccines, the protective antibodies remain on guard to protect us from future contact with the germs. To achieve this effect, several doses of the same vaccine may be required. Many of the vaccine-preventable diseases can be very dangerous for newborns and very young babies, who can be spread through their parents, siblings and other adults. For this reason, they should receive the first vaccines at birth.

Myths and facts about vaccines

There are some myths that can lead to losses of application of doses of vaccine at the appropriate time or even, definitively, resulting in the consequent risk of contracting a preventable disease and contagion in the community.

• Some erroneous beliefs to not vaccinate are:
• Have a low fever or have had a reaction at the injection site after a previous vaccine.
• Have a simple cold or diarrhea.
• Being on antibiotic treatment at that time.
• Being a premature child.
• Have a history of allergies in the family.
• Presenting diseases such as asthma, diabetes, Down syndrome, heart disease, neurological disorders.
• Present mild allergy to the egg. This does not contraindicate the vaccination and must be applied triple vaccines viral, influenza and yellow fever.

Are vaccines safe?

It is very rare that the vaccines produce a serious reaction, but very occasionally it can happen. However, the risks of contracting a serious illness by not delivering the vaccine are much greater than the risk of producing a serious reaction to the vaccine. Sometimes minor side effects such as pain, redness, and swelling may occur at the injection site, which usually do not have major importance and disappear within a few hours or days; Or fever, which is usually not very high and lasts no more than two days.

According to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, schedules have been established with the chronological sequence of vaccines administered to the entire population of a particular country or area. The scheme of this page is approved by the Ministry of Social Protection of Colombia for 2011, up to five years.

These vaccines are free of charge in health centers and EPS. They are known as PAI (Expanded Program of Immunizations).

There are currently other vaccines that are not included in this program, but are very useful and advisable: antihepatitis A, antivaricela and antipapilomavirus. The first two apply from the year and the last at puberty, hopefully before starting the sex life. About the three you can get more information with your pediatrician or your EPS.

Remember

• If you missed a dose of vaccine you should not start again, since the doses administered continue to count even if it has been longer than advised.
• Premature babies can also be vaccinated because their body is capable of producing defenses.
• Simultaneous application of several vaccines does not cause problems. On the contrary, it is very important because it potentiates the effect of the different vaccines and implies fewer visits to the vaccination service to complete the number of doses required.