Why it is important to get your child vaccinated in time

National Immunisation Day is observed every year in India on March 16 as part of the Pulse Polio vaccination campaign in the country.

India was officially declared polio-free by WHO on March 27, 2014.

Importance of vaccination among kids

Vaccination plays a crucial role in protecting children from life-threatening diseases, preventing long-term health complications, and safeguarding their overall health and well-being.

How do vaccines work?

Vaccines help the immune system to fight infections including bacterial, and viral. The harmless piece of pathogen introduced into the body triggers the immune system that produces antibodies that fight the pathogen, providing immunity against future infections.

Why should you vaccinate your child?

Vaccines protect your child from serious infections and in turn, save lives. The measles vaccine alone is estimated to have prevented millions of deaths. Highly contagious diseases like measles, diphtheria and polio, which were wiped out in many countries would return if the vaccination drive comes to a halt.

Even if diseases are eliminated in your country, it is important to vaccinate your child against them as diseases could spread from any area in this interconnected world.

What diseases do vaccines prevent?

Vaccines protect your child against serious illnesses like polio, which can cause paralysis; measles, which can cause brain swelling and blindness; and tetanus, which can cause painful muscle contractions and difficulty eating and breathing, especially in newborns.