Healthcare professionals are raising concerns because more than 3 million children around the world have missed their routine vaccinations since the COVID-19 pandemic. This could cause outbreaks of illnesses that can be controlled by vaccines, such as measles, mumps, and rubella.
Doctors are extremely advising parents to take forceful steps to make sure their kids are up-to-date on their vaccinations. This is especially important with the upcoming Eid al Adha celebrations and summer travel.
Vaccinations are crucial for keeping children healthy and rescuing them from heavy diseases. Before traveling or attending large gatherings, children need to be fully vaccinated. This assists in controlling the spread of diseases and keeps everyone safe.
A new study that will soon be published in The Lancet highlights how important global vaccination efforts have been. Over the last 50 years, vaccines have saved around 154 million lives, with most of those saved being babies.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted regular vaccination schedules. This is a big concern for public health because it might lead to the return of diseases that we can prevent with vaccines.
Doctors and health experts are worried that if children do not get their regular vaccines, diseases like measles, mumps, and rubella could start spreading again. It is very important to make sure children get their vaccinations on time to keep everyone healthy and prevent these diseases from coming back.
Dr. Renuka Ramasamy, a Family Medicine Specialist at International Modern Hospital in Dubai, emphasizes how important it is for children to get their vaccinations on time. She explains that vaccines need time to work because they build up protective antibodies in the body. This is why children must be vaccinated before they travel, to make sure they are protected against infectious diseases.
Despite knowing how important vaccinations are, some parents face difficulties that cause them to miss scheduled vaccinations for their children. Dr. Ramasamy wants to reassure these parents that if their children miss a vaccine dose, they do not have to begin the whole series over again. She encourages parents to talk to healthcare professionals as soon as possible to get caught up on any missed vaccinations. This way, their children can still receive the protection they need.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has an Expanded Program on Immunization schedules that recommends all children get their vaccinations on time. Experts stress the importance of following this schedule and consulting healthcare providers for advice on additional vaccinations needed for travel.
Dr. Haitham Elsayed Elsadek, a Pediatric Specialist and Neonatologist at Al Zahra Hospital highlights the importance of making sure children are vaccinated against both compulsory diseases and any optional diseases that might be a risk in their travel destinations. He highlights that parents should always check with healthcare providers to get the right advice on travel-related vaccinations. This ensures children are fully protected wherever they go.
Experts are stressing how important it is to vaccinate children before traveling to prevent diseases that are common in certain areas and to protect them from potential health risks. Dr. Fatima Mohamad Shahin, a Pediatric Specialist at Zulekha Hospital Sharjah, explains that following the vaccination schedule is especially critical for young children because their immune systems are still evolving and are not yet powerful sufficiently to fight off certain diseases on their own.
Vaccines help by building up antibodies in the body that can fight off these diseases, but they need time to do this. This is why it is so important to get children vaccinated ahead of travel. By doing so, parents can ensure their children are well-protected when they visit different places, where they might be exposed to diseases that are not common at home.
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted regular vaccination schedules for many children, leading to a significant number of missed vaccinations. This disruption poses a serious risk because it could lead to outbreaks of diseases that vaccines can prevent. As the world works to recover from the pandemic, making sure children catch up on their missed vaccinations is crucial.
Dr. Shahin emphasizes that getting back on track with vaccinations is a key strategy to prevent the resurgence of diseases like measles, mumps, and rubella. These diseases can apply rapidly and cause serious health problems, but they can be prevented with timely vaccinations.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has an Expanded Program on Immunization that provides a schedule for when children should receive their vaccinations. This schedule is designed to ensure children get vital security at the right times. Experts recommend that parents follow this schedule closely and consult with healthcare providers about any additional vaccines that might be needed for travel. This might include vaccines for diseases that are more common in the places they plan to visit.
Dr. Haitham Elsayed Elsadek, a Pediatric Specialist and Neonatologist at Al Zahra Hospital, also stresses the importance of getting children vaccinated against both the required diseases and any optional ones related to their travel destinations. He advises parents to talk to healthcare providers to get the best advice on which vaccines are needed based on their travel plans.
Vaccinating children on time protects them and helps protect the community by preventing the spread of infectious diseases. When most people are vaccinated, it creates a community immunity that makes it harder for diseases to spread.
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