| Mena Raja |
Dr Chittal we hear of many
new vaccines and opinions differ. What to do? |
| Dr.
Ravindra Chittal |
The new vaccines that have
come are against diseases, which have always been with us. However, they are of importance
now since many previous ailments like polio and small pox have been taken care of. |
| Mena Raja |
Can grown up children be
given hepatitis B? |
| Dr.
Ravindra Chittal |
Yes, even they can be
given. The program of vaccination starts at birth after 1 month and after 6 months. If not
started earlier on it can always be started at any other point of time. All children
should be vaccinated against Hepatitis B. |
| Veena |
What about Chicken pox
vaccine? Is it a must? |
| Dr.
Ravindra Chittal |
Chicken pox once suffered
gives life long immunity and hence NO vaccination is needed. Any child who has not
suffered from chicken Pox till the age of 10 yrs may be given the vaccine. Before 10 yrs
we hope every child gets chicken pox and gets life long immunity. The vaccine itself gives
10 yrs of immunity. |
| Ishita Nagpal |
My child is going to appear
for his SSC exams next year. He has had chicken pox at the age of 12. Can it reoccur?
Should I vaccinate him? |
| Dr.
Ravindra Chittal |
Chicken pox once suffered
gives life long immunity and hence NO vaccination is needed. |
| Sheetal |
What is the Hib Vaccine? Is
it necessary? |
| Dr.
Ravindra Chittal |
Hib protects against a
bacterial infection such as meningitis due to a certain harmful bacteria called HiB.
Children below 2 yrs are highly at risk and should be given the vaccine. It is an optional
vaccine due to high cost involved. However it is a vaccine worth giving. Babies FROM 3RD
MONTH ONWARDS ARE given 3 doses at 2 month intervals each. |
| Sheetal |
My Pediatrician is against
vaccinations to the extent that he has not vaccinated even his grandchildren. He says that
if your child has good immunity by eating right he doesn't need vaccines to protect him.
What is your opinion? |
| Dr.
Ravindra Chittal |
Well he has a right to his
opinion. I DO NOT agree. I have vaccinated my son and am proud of it. The world is so much
a safer place for children free from smallpox, plague and now polio. Thanks to vaccines. |
| Sheetal |
Which vaccine protects
against jaundice? Hep A or Hep B? |
| Dr.
Ravindra Chittal |
The commonest jaundice we
see which comes from eating unhygienic food and water is Hep A. Hep B comes from
transmission through direct or indirect contact, contaminated needles etc... Both lead to
jaundice. Hep A is not very harmful whereas Hep B is very dangerous often Fatal. Each
vaccine protects from specific disease only. |
| Kaajal |
My child is 3yrs 7 months
old. Does he need to be given hepatitis B vaccine? |
| Dr.
Ravindra Chittal |
Kaajal Yes your baby should
be given Hep B vaccine as early as possible. |
| Kaajal |
My friend having Hepatitis
B is going to have a baby. Will the child have the disease too? |
| Dr.
Ravindra Chittal |
Hep B virus is NOT
transmitted from mother's blood to the fetus, through the placenta, but during delivery
Hep B Immunoglobulin inj given to the baby within 24 hrs of delivery can protect the new
born. Further protection can be given by simultaneous administration of Hep B vaccine 1st
dose. |
| Sheetal |
Which other vaccines are
important? |
| Dr.
Ravindra Chittal |
Typhoid vaccine. An imp
vaccine in our country. Typhoid vaccine gives immunity for 3 yrs. |
| Manisha |
How good is the oral
typhoid vaccine? I took it and contracted typhoid within 4 months of completing my
schedule. |
| Dr.
Ravindra Chittal |
Manisha, That is bad luck!
Oral vaccine gives equal and long enough protection from Typhoid. May be u suffered from
paratyphoid. |
| Natasha |
My 2nd dose of
hepatitis B was taken 17 days later than the scheduled date. Is there any harm ? |
| Dr.
Ravindra Chittal |
Natasha, 2nd dose of Hep B
may be delayed upto a month from schedule and 3rd dose may be delayed upto 6 month from
scheduled date. |
| Renu |
Are there any other
vaccines for meningitis? |
| Dr.
Ravindra Chittal |
Renu, meningitis vaccine as
it known today is by & large HiB vaccine. Hib vaccine protects only against meningitis
due to HiB bacteria. It is not a general purpose meningitis vaccine. Meningitis can also
be caused by many other bacteria & viruses. Beside the HiB vaccine Meningococcal
Meningitis vaccine is available and it protects against Meningococcal meningitis. |
| Renu |
When should I give this
vaccine? Along with Hib or at some other time? |
| Dr.
Ravindra Chittal |
Renu, It is not necessary
to give this vaccine except in times of epidemics such as occurs in crowds of people in
haj or melas. |
| Natasha |
Is it necessary to take
tetanus after every 6 months even though there is no injury ? |
| Dr.
Ravindra Chittal |
Natasha TT which forms a
part of DPT gives immunity for 5 yrs & TT inj every 5 yrs after child is 5 is enough
to protect him. |
| Dr.
Ravindra Chittal |
WHATEVER OTHERS MAY SAY
VACCINATE & PROTECT YOUR CHILD. |
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