Everything Parents Need To Know About DTP Booster Vaccinations
Parents are bombarded with an infinite list of do’s and don’ts’ since the moment they become aware of their child’s conception. Granted, experienced parents have it easier than new ones. However, sometimes unsought advice given by well-wishers, healthcare professionals, and the internet can make it feel like there is a never-ending list of things to do. Nevertheless, as parents who have the welfare and safety of their child in mind, one tries to tick all the boxes on the given checklist.
One such important step of raising a child is ensuring that your child gets their immunization as per the recommended schedule handed to you by your healthcare provider. Vaccination in newborns and growing children are important as they are born with an underdeveloped immunity. It not only protects your child from potentially fatal diseases but also safeguards the community in which you reside. In this article, we will specifically focus on the DTP booster vaccinations and why it is important to administer it to a newborn as per the given schedule.
DTP booster vaccination aims to protect your child from three severe diseases that are diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whopping cough). These injections must be administered to your children in five separate doses during different stages of their childhood until the age of 7. However, as the child grows into an adolescent, the immunity acquired by these vaccinations start to wane. This is the age where the child comes in contact with other children through playgrounds and other school activities. Therefore, it is crucial to continue with the weaker form of DTP booster vaccination that protects the child from contagious diseases like diphtheria and pertussis, in addition to tetanus.
Tetanus can be easily contracted from an infected cut that may appear small at first. It is natural for children to get these cuts while rough-housing and be completely indifferent to it afterwards. Even when parents notice these small cuts, they might ignore it thinking a band-aid will probably take care of it. However, tetanus or lockjaw is generally caused by a bacterium that is found in soil. If the child is not immunized against it, this bacterium wreaks havoc by releasing a toxin that directly attacks the nervous system. The consequence being involuntary muscle contractions in your jaw and neck muscles that interferes with regular breathing. Therefore, severe cases of tetanus can even cause death to a child or an adult.
During adolescence, the child grows rapidly. Hence, the immune system needs another boost of DTP. It is crucial because at this stage, the child begins the human journey of socializing more with their peers and close relatives. A child who is not immunized can be a potential carrier of these diseases and therefore, be responsible for spreading the infection to their playmates, siblings, or grandparents.
In addition to having serious consequences such as death, these diseases can become a major hindrance to your child’s daily routine. He/she might have to miss school for weeks and when they do recover, it might be a long time before they regain their immunity. Therefore, to prevent these life-threatening diseases from disrupting your kid’s growth, regular DTP booster is recommended even after they become an adult. Boosting your immunity regularly will help you keep these diseases at bay throughout your lifetime.
The vaccines are easy to acquire and administer through your nearest medical practitioner. The following are the two types of DTP booster vaccines you should be aware of:
- Preschool booster – a full-strength DTP vaccine, given to children between the ages of 4 to 6 years.
- Adolescent booster – a reduced strength DTP vaccine which is administered to children between the ages of 9 and 13.
Is your child armed with the ammunition of DTP booster? If not, visit your healthcare provider today to get your child a DTP booster shot. Listen to the child’s immunity alarm and, thus, #DontWaitVaccinate.
If you have any further concerns, share it with us in the comments below.
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