Vaccination For Kids

What’s the checklist of vaccines and the ages at which they should be ideally be given for kids?

Dr Tan Ru Wei: There is a National Vaccination Schedule published by the Ministry of Health, Malaysia. Majority of these vaccines will be completed by 18 months of age with some booster doses to be given at school going age. These include BCG; Hep B; 5-in-1 vaccine against Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, and Haemophilus Influenzae Type B; MMR that covers Measles, Mumps and Rubella. There are also some vaccines no included in the National Schedule but highly recommended, such as Pneumococcal vaccine, Rotavirus vaccine, Influenza vaccine, Meningococcal vaccine and Varicella vaccination. These vaccines are readily available in most private hospitals and GP clinics.

If you miss any of the vaccines at the recommended age, is it possible to catch up later in life?

Dr Tan Ru Wei: There are many reasons why vaccination needs to be postponed. The good news is other than Rotavirus vaccine that needs to be completed before 32 weeks of age, all other vaccines in the National Vaccination Schedule can be given later for catch up immunization. However, it is advisable to stick to the vaccination schedule as much as possible for optimal protection.

What is the primary reason for the vaccinations in the context of the present situation?

Dr Tan Ru Wei: Based on WHO estimation, globally 1 in 26 children die before the age of 5 in the year 2018. More than half of these deaths can be prevented or treated with simple, affordable interventions including vaccination, adequate nutrition, safe water and food, and appropriate care by a trained health care provider. The main purpose of vaccinations is to help our body build up immunity against some of the deadly childhood diseases.

Can you elaborate on the importance of pneumococcal vaccine (PCV) for babies?

Dr Tan Ru Wei: The bacteria pneumococcus can attack different parts of the body, leading to meningitis, pneumonia, bacteraemia, or otitis media. It can lead to brain damage, hearing loss and even death. It is recommended that infants receive at least three doses PCV within the 1st year of life, starting as young as six weeks of age to prevent pneumococcal diseases.

How does the pneumococcal vaccine work, and how do children respond to the vaccine?

Dr Tan Ru Wei PCV works by of the vaccine into the body to stimulate the normal immune system to produce antibodies that are directed against the bacterium. Children, in general, respond very well to the vaccine.

Can the PCV (vaccine) cause the disease they protect against?

Dr Tan Ru Wei: Short answer: No. Long answer: There are two types of pneumococcal vaccines. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) that is used for children, and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) for adults. Both vaccines are inactivated or “killed” vaccine that does not contain any live organisms. They cannot cause the disease they protecta against.

SHOULD PCV be delayed or avoided completely for anymore and why?

Dr Tan Ru Wei: The only reason PCV should be avoided is when there is reported severe local reaction at the injection site from a previous does or reported a severe allergic reaction to a previous PCV does or one of the components of the vaccine. Vaccination can be postponed during an acute fever episode.

What are the side effects of the pneumococcal vaccine for kids?

Dr Tan Ru Wei:Severe side effects are rare, common and short term side effects seen in children include soreness and redness on the injection spot and fever. Other possible side effects include reduced appetite, irritability, drowsiness.

Dr Tan Ru Wei: Flu vaccine is meant to protect the child against influenza viruses. There two major types of Influenza vaccine available. The Tetravalent vaccine that against 2 Influenza A virus and 2 Influenza B virus. The Trivalent vaccine which excludes 1 Influenza B virus. Everyone 6 months or older should get the flu vaccine. It is especially important for children from 6 months to 5 years old, or who have chronic underlying diseases such as asthma, heart conditions, HIV infection. Children who never received the vaccine before requiring a 2nd dose 4 to 6 weeks after the 1st dose. For continuing yearly protection, revaccination is required.

How does it work and does it help to build up the child’s immunity?

Dr Tan Ru Wei: Like PCV, Influenza vaccine uses inactivated viruses to induce an immune response to the antigens present on the virus. It is estimated to have an efficacy of 70 – 90%.

Once the flu vaccine is started, does it have to be given every year and why?

Dr Tan Ru Wei: Yearly vaccination is required because the flu virus changes constantly and rapidly. Every year WHO will review the flu vaccine formulation and update it to keep up with the changing flu viruses. Another reason is because our body’s immune response from vaccination declines over time, and yearly vaccination is needed for optimal protection.

How is the flu vaccine for children administered?

Dr Tan Ru Wei: There are two ways flu vaccination can be administered, either via injection or via nasal spray method. Recent studies show that nasal mist administration has a lower efficacy in flu prevention compared to a flu jab. Also, nasal spray uses a weakened form live virus as a vaccine, therefore is not suitable for immunocompromised patients. It is however a good alternative for parents and children who are anxious of getting a needle injection.