Yes, vaccines are safe for infants. Most currently available vaccines pass through a very stringent process of manufacturing and quality control. They are approved for use in humans only after getting approval from the highest licensing and recommended bodies (national and international) once they have been found useful and safe. No scientific evidence has ever proved any association of impotence or autism with vaccines. These are purely myths and not facts. 

Every year lakhs of children across India and even across the world receive essential vaccines to protect them from deadly diseases.

Some common side effects of vaccines include mild fever, pain, and redness or swelling at the injection site. These side effects are usually mild and go away on their own within a few days.

Vaccines are generally well tolerated and the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks of side effects associated with vaccination. 

There are certain vaccines, which have capability to provide lifelong protection. But the decisions about giving number of doses of a particular vaccine depend on many factors such as type of vaccine used, specific disease epidemiology in a country, etc. Repeated doses are often required in cases of some vaccines, where immunity builds in phases and each dose mounts a more powerful immune response from the previous one.

Before vaccination:

•    Please keep your child’s vaccination record handy with you. 
•    Inform the doctor whether he had any problems after vaccination, in past or if the child has any allergies or prolonged illness

During vaccination: 

•    Make efforts to make the child’s experience as comfortable as possible.
•    You may be asked to wait for 30 minutes after vaccination. This is to observe the child for any immediate reactions.

After vaccination:

•    Local reactions such as redness at injection site, mild fever and pain at injection site can occur which is usually short lasting
•    You can continue to breastfeed or give complementary feeds even after vaccination
•    Please contact the doctor if your child has high fever after vaccination, if your baby continuously cries for >3 hours and is inconsolable.

Indian Government’s National Immunization program (NIS) covers bare minimum vaccines which every child in India must receive, keeping public health as a focus. However it does not cover all vaccines and hence certain vaccines are required to be taken by paying through private practicing Doctors or qualified vaccination centres.

Do remember, investing money in vaccination is a much wiser decision than spending money on non-essential products. Once a child suffers from an infection, parents not only have to spend a huge amount in treatment, there is also loss on a number of school days, abstinence in work by parents and other social issues. And due to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance these days, there is no guarantee for successful treatment of all infections.

It is important that you get your child vaccinated at the specified time. The schedule is based on the risk of getting the disease. This means that in case you miss or delay the vaccine your child is exposed to the risk of the disease during that time.

For example, diseases such as Hib or pneumococcal, meningococcal or Hib occurs commonly in the first 2 years of a baby’s life and can get very serious when babies get them. It is important to follow the recommended vaccination schedule to ensure the best protection for your new-born. 

In case you miss the date, then get it done as soon as possible. Please remember that it is not necessary to start the schedule again.

Most vaccines have a flexibility in schedule to accommodate the best protection possible against the disease. In case if you have missed out on any vaccine, consult your Paediatrician or reach out to an INVC Vaccine expert for guidance on Catch-up Vaccination. It is important to catch up on missed vaccine doses as soon as possible to ensure that your child is fully protected against preventable diseases.

A vaccination record is generally provided by your healthcare provider/ vaccination centre. Ensure to get the record updated after each completed vaccination. Please follow the due date mentioned on your card/file for subsequent timely vaccinations. Alternately, you can connect with INVC Vaccine expert to get a digital Vaccination record and receive reminders for your due vaccinations.  

All vaccines that are recommended by health expert authorities such as Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) and Indian Medical Association (IMA) are important and play a crucial role in protecting against serious and potentially deadly diseases. While incidence of a few diseases may have reduced over time, it is so because of high rates of vaccination in the past. If we stopped vaccinating, the few cases that we have in India could rise very quickly.

Also, there are a few vaccine-preventable diseases that are not common in India but are common in other parts of the world. With rising globalization, even if you do not travel internationally, you could come into contact with international travellers anywhere in your community. Children who don’t receive all vaccinations and are exposed to a disease can become seriously sick and even spread it amongst others members in the family.

It is generally safe to vaccinate a baby who has a mild illness, such as a cold. However, if your baby has a serious illness or fever, it may be best to delay vaccination until they feel better. For personal medical advice, consult your Paediatrician on when it is safe to vaccinate your baby.

Currently, vaccination is the most scientifically-proven and effective method of preventing infectious diseases and is recommended by healthcare authorities worldwide. Relying solely on alternative approaches like proper nutrition, good hygiene practices and a healthy lifestyle, instead of vaccination can put your child at risk of serious diseases. Breastfeeding offers temporary immunity against some minor infections like colds, but it is not an effective means of protecting the child from specific diseases.

If you have concerns about vaccination or would like more information, do consult your Paediatrician or feel free to connect with an INVC Vaccine expert to make an informed decision. 

While both natural and vaccine-induced immunity can provide protection against diseases, vaccines are generally considered to be safer and more reliable than natural immunity. Immunity developed from a natural disease can lead to serious complications including hospitalization, paralysis, sepsis, heart failure or even death from the disease. Vaccines are carefully tested and regulated to ensure safety and effectiveness. Getting vaccinated to develop immunity is a wise decision.

While vaccines may require an initial investment, the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the costs associated with it. Vaccines are one of the most cost-effective ways to prevent disease and promote good health. The treatment cost for a vaccine-preventable disease can be much higher than the cost of vaccination. Health economics data suggests that, every rupee invested in vaccination saves 44 rupees of societal costs.

Vaccines can save lives, prevent disability, and reduce healthcare costs associated with treating vaccine-preventable diseases. In some cases, vaccines can even help to eliminate diseases altogether, as seen with the successful eradication of smallpox.

The Government of India's National immunization schedule (NIS) is a standard schedule, focusing on providing the most essential vaccines and cover a large population, free of cost. The NIS program is designed considering factors such as cost involved, delivery chain feasibility, availability of vaccines, etc. to prevent mortality due to the deadliest diseases.

However, there are other vaccines which are needed, to prevent diseases leading to significant morbidity in children. These diseases are preventable through vaccination and available in India but currently not included in the NIS. The current immunization schedule recommended by the Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) is the best immunization schedule for prioritizing the health of individual children in India, regardless of associated expenses. IAP vaccination schedule is designed considering the prevalence of specific diseases in India, effectiveness of vaccines in preventing them and is updated periodically based on the latest scientific research and recommendations from international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) & Centres for Diseases control & Prevention (CDC).