Contents:
- Medical Video: Child immunizations a must for school
- Why is immunization of school-age children important?
- What immunizations should be given to children? When should it be given?
- If I miss a child's immunization schedule, what should I do?
Medical Video: Child immunizations a must for school
When was the last time your child was immunized? Yes, maybe you know immunization is only done when a child is a toddler. But did you know that child immunization must also be done again when he enters school age? Then what kind of immunization should be given to children?
Why is immunization of school-age children important?
Basically, immunization is a prevention activity. Immunization is done so that someone can avoid an infectious disease or relieve the symptoms of the disease. This method is the most effective and inexpensive prevention method for dealing with diseases.
Immunization must be given to children under five because the immune system of toddlers is very vulnerable. Then what about children who have passed that age? As you get older, your child's immune system also increases. But this does not rule out the possibility of them getting another infectious disease at that growing age.
Therefore, after making mandatory immunizations at the age of five, children must get further immunization when they enter school age. In addition to guarding against attacks of viral infections, child immunization can also help improve cognitive function and maintain nutritional status to remain good.
What immunizations should be given to children? When should it be given?
In Indonesia alone, there is an advanced immunization schedule intended for school-age children issued by the Indonesian Ministry of Health. While the type Immunization of school-age children proclaimed in Indonesia is diphtheria tetanus (DT), measles, and tetanus diphtheria (Td) The following is a schedule of immunizations for primary school-aged children arranged by the Ministry of Health:
- First grade elementary school, measles immunization was given with the implementation time every August and immunization diphtheria tetanus (DT) every November.
- Class 2-3 elementary school, immunized tetanus diphtheria (Td) in November.
Whereas according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, other types of child immunizations that should also be done are:
- Flu immunization can be done when children aged 7-18 years experience flu every year. This type of immunization is a safe immunization given to all children with different conditions.
- Immunization Human papillomavirus, it can be given when children are 11-12 years old. Or it can also be given when the child reaches the age of 9-10 years, if indeed the child's health condition requires it.
- Immunization of meningitis when children are 11-12 years old. But this immunization includes special immunizations, so it must be consulted with your pediatrician first.
But to find out whether all types of immunizations are needed or not, you should discuss the matter with your doctor and medical team. The doctor will consider whether your child should be immunized or not.
If I miss a child's immunization schedule, what should I do?
If you are late in bringing your child to be immunized, don't worry. As long as your child is not infected with a particular infection, the child can still get it later. consult with your pediatrician to find out the exact schedule, type, and dosage of immunization for your child.
For example, a child does not get measles immunization when he is a toddler, so your child can get it when he is 6-12 years old. This is in accordance with the activity Catch up CampaignMeasles organized by the Ministry of Health are carried out simultaneously. This activity aims to prevent measles viruses from occurring in school-age children. In addition, the purpose of immunization of children is to break the chain of transmission of measles.
