Your child has reached an important milestone — their half-birthday! At six months, in addition to essential health check-ups, two key vaccines are recommended: Typhoid and Influenza vaccines. Both of these vaccines, though not covered under the government immunization schedule, are crucial in protecting your child from life-threatening diseases. Let’s explore why these vaccinations are necessary, how they protect your child, and why Aashrey Child Clinic is the ideal place to get them.
TYPHOID VACCINE
The typhoid vaccine can prevent typhoid fever. Typhoid fever is a severe bacterial infection caused by Salmonella typhi, prevalent in many parts of the world, especially in India.
Both active typhoid patients and carriers can spread the bacteria, which causes infection when consumed through contaminated food or drink, leading to typhoid fever.
Why is the Typhoid Vaccine Important?
Typhoid fever can lead to serious health complications, including:
- High, persistent fever
- Stomach pain
- Weakness and fatigue
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Cough and loss of appetite
People who do not get treatment can continue to have fever for weeks or months. As many as 30% of people who do not get treatment die from complications of typhoid fever. There are fewer antibiotic treatment options as drug-resistant typhoid bacteria have become more common in many parts of the world (especially Pakistan and some cases even India).
Typhoid fever is common in many regions of the world, including parts of East and Southeast Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Typhoid fever is endemic in India.
Vaccination Schedule:
- First Dose: At 6 months
- Booster Dose: At 2.5 years of age
Typhoid vaccines are not 100% effective. The majority of children or adults who are vaccinated don’t get typhoid fever and even if they get it gets better with oral medication. However, it depends on the bacterial load (if too much contaminated water or food is consumed then you can get typhoid even though vaccinated).
Always practice safe eating and drinking habits to help prevent infection.
The injectable vaccine requires a booster after 2 years. If you were vaccinated in the past, ask your doctor if it is time for a booster vaccination. Taking antibiotics will not prevent typhoid fever; they only help treat it.
Hospitalization due to Typhoid fever will require admission for a minimum of 5 days to even 10 to 14 days while vaccination is cost-effective and a healthy option.
Typhoid vaccine price: [View here]
INFLUENZA VACCINE
Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is an acute respiratory infection caused by various influenza viruses that circulate worldwide. It can cause mild to severe symptoms, and in high-risk groups, it can be life-threatening.
The pathogen
There are 4 types of seasonal influenza viruses, types A, B, C, and D. Influenza A and B viruses circulate and cause seasonal epidemics of disease.
- Influenza A viruses are further classified into subtypes according to the combinations of the hemagglutinin (HA) and the neuraminidase (NA), the proteins on the surface of the virus. Currently circulating in humans are subtype A(H1N1) and A(H3N2) influenza viruses. The A(H1N1) is also written as A(H1N1)pdm09 as it caused the pandemic in 2009 and subsequently replaced the seasonal influenza A(H1N1) virus which had circulated prior to 2009. Only influenza-type A viruses are known to have caused pandemics.
- Influenza B viruses are not classified into subtypes, but can be broken down into lineages. Currently circulating influenza type B viruses belong to either B/Yamagata or B/Victoria lineage.
- Influenza C virus is detected less frequently and usually causes mild infections, thus does not present public health importance.
- Influenza D viruses primarily affect cattle and are not known to infect or cause illness in people.
Signs and symptoms
Influenza spreads rapidly, especially in crowded places like schools and daycare centers. Symptoms of influenza include:
- Sudden onset of fever
- Cough, often dry
- Headache
- Muscle and joint pain
- Fatigue, sore throat, and a runny nose
While most children recover within a week, certain groups (like children under 5 years) are at a higher risk of severe complications such as pneumonia. This makes the influenza vaccine a critical annual vaccination, especially for infants and young children.
But influenza can cause severe illness or death, especially in people at high risk (see below).
Illnesses range from mild to severe and even death.
Hospitalization and death occur mainly among high risk groups.
Worldwide, these annual epidemics are estimated to result in about 3 to 5 million cases of severe illness, and about 290 000 to 650 000 respiratory deaths.
In industrialized countries most deaths associated with influenza occur among people age 65 or older.
Epidemics can result in high levels of worker/school absenteeism and productivity losses.
Clinics and hospitals can be overwhelmed during peak illness periods.
Seasonal influenza’s impact in developing countries is unclear, but research estimates 99% of flu-related lower respiratory deaths in children under 5 occur there.
Epidemiology
All age groups can be affected but there are groups that are more at risk than others.
People at greater risk of severe disease or complications when infected are:
- pregnant women,
- children under 59 months,
- the elderly,
- individuals with chronic medical conditions (such as chronic cardiac, pulmonary, renal, metabolic, neurodevelopmental, liver, or hematologic diseases) and
- individuals with immunosuppressive conditions (such as HIV/AIDS, receiving chemotherapy or steroids, or malignancy).
- Healthcare workers are at high risk of acquiring influenza virus infection due to increased exposure to the patients and the risk of further spread, particularly to vulnerable individuals.
In terms of transmission, seasonal influenza spreads easily, with the rapid transmission in crowded areas including schools and nursing homes. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, virus-containing droplets spread up to one meter, infecting nearby individuals who inhale them. The virus can also be spread by hands contaminated with influenza viruses. To prevent transmission, people should cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing, and wash their hands regularly.
In temperate climates, seasonal epidemics occur mainly during winter, while in tropical regions, influenza may occur throughout the year, causing outbreaks more irregularly.
The time from infection to illness, known as the incubation period, is about 2 days but ranges from one to four days.
Vaccination Schedule:
- First Dose: At 6 months of age
- Second Dose: At 7 months of age
- Annual Booster: Starting from the second year (every May or June)
Getting your child vaccinated in May or June ensures they are protected before the start of the flu season, which coincides with the academic year. Protecting your child against the flu not only ensures their health but also helps reduce school absenteeism and keeps them active and healthy throughout the year.
Influenza Vaccine Price: [View here]
So, don’t miss either of these vaccines for your child, and know more by consulting your Pediatrician, call now [8347990180]
Vaccination at Aashrey Child Clinic
At Aashrey Child Clinic, we prioritize your child’s health and safety. While typhoid and influenza vaccines are not available at government centers, we offer them at an affordable price, ensuring access to essential protection for your child. What sets our clinic apart is:
- Affordable Pricing: Our vaccination prices are cost-effective compared to other clinics, with the typhoid vaccine and the influenza vaccine at competitive rates.
- Personalized Care: Dr. Vinit Mehta personally administers all vaccines, explaining each one in detail, unlike many centers where this information is often neglected.
- Growth Monitoring: We track your child’s growth, plot growth charts, and ensure that they’re hitting key milestones alongside their vaccination appointments.
- No Unnecessary Tests or Medications: We avoid unnecessary tests, medications, and admissions, focusing solely on what is truly needed for your child’s health.
Our clinic is also one of the few places where you can access vaccines that are part of the national and international schedules, making it convenient for children and families who travel abroad.
Find out more about our vaccination prices here.
FAQ: Can Typhoid and Influenza Vaccines Be Given Together?
Yes, typhoid and influenza vaccines can be given together. These vaccines target different pathogens (typhoid bacteria and influenza virus), and there is no known interference between them. Administering both vaccines at the same time is safe and effective, saving you additional visits to the clinic while ensuring your child is protected from both diseases.