CHILDHOOD VACCINATION IN COVID 19 PANDEMIC
Dr.Palash Bandyopadhyay,Kolkata, 16 August 2020:
There are many communicable diseases that are entirely preventable by vaccination or vaccination reduces their intensities, and thus reduce the mortality and morbidity in children. Keeping it in mind, these are in a nutshell are the vaccination strategy directives adopted from WHO/UNICEF/ICMR directives.
●Primary vaccination after birth for BCG, POLIO and HEPATITIS B must be given before discharge from hospital, or by Govt/Pvt health care provider at home or clinic.
●Next vaccination can be delayed up to the age of 2 months without any harm. DPT, POLIO, HIB, HEPATITIS B, ROTA, and PNEUMOCOCCUS vaccine can be given 2 months apart instead of normal 1 month.
●If a delay is more, no need to repeat or restart. Take as per order.
●Measles and Rubella vaccination to be taken in the appropriate time as possible.
●Boosters can be delayed more but primary vaccination should be given at the time as possible.
●Separate ‘well visit’ from ‘sick visit’ at the chamber at different times. Sanitize the clinic thoroughly before well clinic starts.
●Don’t take the vaccine if a baby or child is sick or don’t go to the clinic if your parents are sick.
●Only one parent to enter the clinic with his or her baby or child.
●Maintain adequate Physical distance of at least 2 meters with others.
●Use face mask covering face and nose completely. Hands not to touch mouth and face and keep it clean and germ-free either by handwashing with soap or liquid sanitizer containing a minimum of 60℅Isopropyl alcohol.
●Don’t take any food outside.
●Take a complete bath after returning home.
Enter the clinic when everything are ready. Before that, wait at your car and outside waiting lounge.
Dr.Palash Bandyopadhyay
16.08.2020
