The feeling of holding our baby in our arms is unique. When we lull him to sleep, we think about how fragile he is and that we would always keep him away from any danger. One of the ways to protect your little one is with vaccines. Vaccines for your newborn: Which are they?
Isis Adriana Moctezuma Rebollo, a pediatrician member of the Mexican Association of Pediatrics, highlighted the importance of vaccinating babies in the first days after birth since these are a mechanism for controlling many infectious diseases common in the past.
“There are diseases that can cause death; they can be transmitted to people who are not protected. These diseases have a tremendous economic impact and cause medical consultations, hospitalizations, and premature deaths”.
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UNICEF points out that vaccines constitute one of the most significant advances in health and development worldwide since they have reduced diseases such as polio, measles, and smallpox for more than two centuries, thus avoiding 3 million deaths per year from these conditions, according to the international organization.
When and which vaccines should my baby receive?
The United States National Library of Medicine explains that newborns are under four weeks old. According to the Ministry of Health, the vaccination schedule for this stage is made up of:
- BCG: Prevents meningeal tuberculosis (brain infection), which can cause death and must be applied when your baby is born. It is injected into the right arm.
- Hepatitis B: It is also applied at the time of birth. This infection is transmitted from mothers to children and is used to prevent the child from getting sick. You should receive two booster doses: at two and six months old.
Vaccination in the first year of life
Protecting your baby against diseases is very important; here, we explain the doses established by the Universal Immunization Program for your little one’s first 12 months.
Two months old
- HepB: The first boost against this condition is applied.
- DTaP: It protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough). Boosters are applied at 4 and 6 months of age.
- RV: It is the leading cause of severe diarrhea in young children. At 4 and 6 months of life, reinforcements are applied.
- PCV13 (Pneumococcal conjugate): It prevents the development of diseases such as pneumonia caused by pneumococcal bacteria. At 4 and 12 months, the baby receives the booster doses.
Four months old
Reinforcements of the DTaP, RV, and PCV13 vaccines.
Six months old
Third dose of DTaP, HepB, and RV.
Influenza: The first dose of this vaccine corresponds to this age. It is the virus with the most circulation in winter; it produces respiratory disease.
Seven months old
Second dose of influenza.
12 months old
MMR: It is the 3-in-1 that prevents measles, rubella, and mumps.
PCV13: Third dose.
Vaccination can save lives, don’t forget to protect your kids.
Translated by: Ligia M. Oliver
Related Notes: How do you put a newborn to sleep? New born: Primary Care
