Quinvaxem Vaccine is a 5 in 1 vaccine given to infants and young children. It provides active immunization against five severe diseases namely Diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Hepatitis-B, Pertussis, and Tetanus. It boosts the immune system and produces protective antibodies against these diseases. Quinvaxem Vaccine is to be administered by your child’s doctor only. It is injected into the thigh muscles of infants. In older children, the vaccine is administered into the arm muscle. It is administered in 3 doses, each 4 weeks apart, preferably before the age of 6 months. Generally, it is recommended to administer the 1st dose at 6 weeks of age, the 2nd dose at 10 weeks of age, and the 3rd dose at 14 weeks of age. If a child has not received the 1st dose by the age of his initial year, start vaccination as soon as possible and consult your child’s doctor for the schedule. Quinvaxem Vaccine can cause some minor and temporary side effects such as fever, irritation, loss of appetite, injection site reaction (pain, swelling, redness), and skin rash. However, these episodes do not last very long and subside on their own. If worrisome, do seek the doctor's help. Talk to your child’s doctor before vaccination if your child has a history of liver problems, kidney problems, blood disorders, birth defects, heart problems, lung problems, severe pain or swelling of the limbs, or Guillain-Barré syndrome. Also, let your doctor know if your child has or had any severe allergic reactions to any medicine. You should also consult your doctor if your child has ever been in a coma or has had brain or nervous system problems like seizures before scheduling a vaccination appointment. This information is important for the doctor to prepare a corresponding vaccination schedule.

• Irritation
• Loss of appetite
• Injection site reactions (pain, swelling, redness)
• Skin rash

Do not panic. If you miss a schedule of Quinvaxem Vaccine, do consult your child’s doctor and get your child vaccinated as soon as possible.

• Q. Q. Why are vaccinations important in children??
  Ans: Vaccinations protect your child against serious diseases by stimulating the immune system to create antibodies against certain bacteria or viruses.
• Q. Q. What is the Universal Immunization Program??
  Ans: Universal Immunisation Program is a vaccination program followed in India. Under this program, all infants and children are vaccinated to ensure prevention against many serious life-threatening diseases such as Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, severe forms of childhood tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), and Diarrhea.
• Q. Q. When can I call my child fully vaccinated??
  Ans: A fully immunized child has received all vaccines recommended in the National Immunization Schedule in required doses, at the appropriate age.
• Q. Q. What is the duration of immunity provided by immunization??
  Ans: The duration of immunity varies with different diseases and different vaccines. Lifelong immunity is not always provided by either natural infection or vaccination. The protection provided by vaccines decreases gradually over time. Therefore, booster doses are sometimes recommended for certain vaccines to protect specific age groups.
• Q. Q. Is a booster dose recommended for Quinvaxem Vaccine under the Universal Immunization Programme??
  Ans: Currently a booster dose is not recommended for Quinvaxem Vaccine under Universal Immunization Programme. This is because the Hib vaccine protects for at least 15 years. However, the boosters for Diphtheria, Pertussis, and tetanus (DPT) are recommended at 16-24 months and 5-6 years of age.
• Q. Q. Can I get my child vaccinated if he or she has a cold or fever, or is on antibiotics??
  Ans: Yes. Your child can still get vaccinated if he or she has a mild illness, a low-grade fever, or is taking antibiotics. Vaccination should be delayed only if your child's immunity is severely low or your child is suffering from any systemic illness that leads to low immunity. It would be best to talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions.
• Q. Q. What if I miss an appointment? Does my baby have to start the vaccines all over again??
  Ans: No. If your baby misses some doses, it is not necessary to start over. Your child’s doctor may suggest continuing the schedule where your child left off.
• Q. Q. How do I keep a track of my child’s vaccination??
  Ans: Usually, a record of all the vaccination which a child takes is maintained in many medical practices. So, remember to ask for a personal record card or a printed copy of your child’s vaccinations. However, it is still advised to keep records of your own at home. Always carry your copy of the record to all medical appointments. Whenever your child receives a vaccine, make sure your copy gets updated. Your child will benefit by having an accurate vaccination record throughout his or her life.
• Q. Q. What is herd immunity? How do vaccines help achieve it??
  Ans: Herd immunity is a form of indirect protection from an infectious disease. It occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to an infection, either through vaccination or due to self-developed immunity against previous infections. Herd immunity helps reduce the likelihood of infection for individuals who lack immunity.
• Q. Q. What is the reason that some children suffer from vaccine-preventable disease even though they have been vaccinated against that disease??
  Ans: Vaccines have been used for decades and have proven to be effective. Like any other medicine, vaccines too cannot provide 100% results. The immunity produced by vaccines may vary from child to child. There may be children who may not be able to develop sufficient protective immunity against a disease-causing pathogen due to malnutrition, repeated episodes of diarrhea, or individual-specific immune response to a vaccine. These reasons may cause some children to suffer from vaccine-preventable diseases despite receiving the vaccination against them. However, in such cases, the disease is of less severity than in those who have never been vaccinated.

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