Child immunization is one way to prevent disease transmission. The government has set 5 basic vaccinations that children must get before they are 1 year old. Unfortunately, many children are late for immunizations because their parents often forget or don't have time. Then, what will happen if the child is late for immunization? How can parents always remember their child's immunization schedule? Here's the full explanation!
Benefits of immunization for children
The benefit of immunization is to prevent and reduce the risk of complications due to dangerous and contagious diseases. When a child has been vaccinated, his body will automatically be complete with an immune system that works specifically to fight the virus or bacteria that cause the disease. Conversely, if the child does not get the vaccination, the child will be at greater risk of contracting a dangerous disease and experiencing severe complications.
Children who do not get vaccinated are also at risk of transmitting the diseases they suffer from to others. So that it can cause disease outbreaks and the death rate will be even higher.
What if the child's immunization is late?
Due to various factors, for example the child is sick or because of the busyness of the parents, children often do not get immunizations according to schedule, are incomplete, maybe even don't get immunizations at all. What if this happened?
If you are a few days late from schedule, consult a doctor immediately. Generally, doctors will advise children to do follow-up vaccinations. This also applies if you are late or miss vaccinations that children must get in a series, for example polio. Polio vaccination consists of four series, for newborns, two months, three months and four months of age. If the child gets it late, he can still continue it without having to repeat it from the beginning.
We can also ask for vaccination information at health centers because generally they provide free vaccinations, such as regional hospitals (RSUD), Puskesmas, and Posyandu. Don't hesitate to ask questions or ask for an explanation from the doctor or midwife regarding the immunization program and schedule that the child will carry out later.
Ask for an explanation about the type of vaccine used, the brand of the vaccine, the side effects of immunization and other things to watch out for after immunization. If you don't understand, please ask your doctor until you really understand.
In addition, parents must understand what the doctor records in the vaccination log. Even though the doctor wrote the vaccination notebook, the book belongs to the parents. So, it is important for parents to understand it too. That way, children will no longer be late for immunization.
Ways for parents not to forget their child's immunization schedule
It is important for parents to bring their babies and children to get immunizations on the right schedule. Here are some tips so you don't forget your immunization schedule:
- Record the next vaccination date in the immunization book
The immunizations given are not just one type, but there are many types and different schedules. Will be prone to forget if not recorded. For this reason, every parent who brings their child for the first immunization will be provided with a notebook. In the book, parents can find out what types of immunizations have been and have not been carried out, when the next immunization schedule will be, and other related records. Do not let this book disappear, because it is useful until the child grows up.
- Set a reminder alarm
Apart from relying on the records in the immunization book, set alarm reminders on scheduled immunization dates. Set an alarm the day before and on the D-day so you can get ready and no longer have to worry about missing your immunization schedule.
Those are some things that need to be done when a child is late getting immunizations. Not to forget, the thing to remember is that it's never too late to submit immunizations that have already been missed. It should always be remembered that carrying out immunizations not only protects children from various dangerous diseases, but also prevents transmission of the disease to other people.
Article written by dr. Amy Diana Ruth Oppusunggu, Sp.A (Child Specialist at EMC Sentul Hospital).