VACCINES
Vaccine applications are an important preventive health practice. The most important purpose of vaccines is to protect children against diseases with serious side effects and risk of death. Widespread vaccination can prevent infectious disease outbreaks. Some vaccines provide immunity for a period, while others protect for life. However, it should be remembered that 100% immunity cannot be achieved with vaccines. It is possible for diseases to be experienced more mildly. There are two types of vaccines. They are divided into 2 basic groups as live attenuated and inactivated vaccines. Measles, rubella, mumps, oral polio vaccine (OPV), chickenpox, rotavirus, and BCG vaccines are live vaccines. Vaccines can be administered subcutaneously, intradermally, intramuscularly, and orally. The method of administration varies according to the vaccine. Vaccines are administered into the thigh before age 2, and afterwards into the deltoid muscle of the arm. Aspiration after needle insertion in intramuscular injections is not recommended as it may increase pain. Many vaccines can be administered simultaneously. It is appropriate to administer vaccines in a healthcare facility against possible serious side effects. There may be some common side effects after vaccine administration. Fever, restlessness, loss of appetite, redness at the injection site, increased warmth, and swelling may occur. It usually lasts 2-3 days and resolves on its own. Antipyretics can be given. It is not recommended to give them beforehand.
A highly developed vaccination program is implemented in our country, and some vaccines not administered by the state are available in other healthcare facilities.
National Immunization Schedule:
The vaccines we routinely administer are as follows:
- BCG vaccine (tuberculosis)
- Hepatitis B vaccine
- Hepatitis A vaccine
- DTaP-HI-IPV 5-in-1 combination
- DTaP-IPV 4-in-1 combination
- MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
- Chickenpox
- OPV (oral polio vaccine)
- Pneumonia
- Rotavirus
- HPV (Cervical cancer vaccine)
- Meningitis vaccines (type ACYW, type B)
- Flu
- Td (Tetanus, Diphtheria)
