Preventive vaccinations play one of the most important roles in a child's health. Starting from the first days of life, the baby faces an environment that brings not only growth, but also the threat of getting sick. So the child's body has to keep a balance between growth and the aggressive environment in the manifestation of viruses, protozoa and germs. This balance for the baby is health, which combines constant contact with the specified flora and the work of his immune system.

With the birth of a baby on his immune state is the responsibility of his mother, which endowed him with what is called innate immunity: that is, a certain resistance to infections, which the mother herself has already encountered. But this protection for the resistant - it has a duration of 4-6 months. Therefore, the child must later protect itself by producing its own antibodies to pathogens. This is called acquired immunity. But how can we help this baby? And the answer is vaccination! Everyone knows that in the period of "pre-vaccination" there was a high mortality rate not only up to one year old, but also at an older age. Not all children could adequately "respond" to the manifestations of various infections, but those who recovered from the disease became resistant to certain pathogens. And so began the era of the invention of vaccines. And now we are talking about "controllable" infections, those that can be prevented by vaccinating against them.

Everyone knows well the vaccines for tuberculosis, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles and others, even some have already "gone down in history" - the smallpox vaccine. But in recent decades, the list has grown considerably, and it is possible to protect oneself from hepatitis (A, B), hemophilus influenzae, meningococcus, varicella, etc.

And now we come to the concept of "required" and "recommended" vaccinations. By "mandatory" vaccinations we mean those vaccines that are administered in accordance with the Ministry of Health order of 11.08.2014 № 551 (with additions). This order specifies the timing of vaccinations, the names of preparations, and their composition. Conditional indications and contraindications for vaccination, the possible course of post-vaccination and complications. Separately highlighted, how to act in case of violations in the vaccination calendar, the critical time between vaccinations, and what to do in case of lack of information about previously conducted (loss of information) immunization. So let's focus on the timing and legal aspects of this topic.

First of all - parents are explained the very notion of the need for vaccination, the threat to the life of the child in the event of illness. An examination of the child is carried out, with an indication on form #112 / c that the child is healthy. The next step is for the parents to sign an agreement, which notes the vaccine itself, and answers a series of questions about determining the child's satisfactory condition, the absence of adverse reactions to previous vaccinations, allergies, chronic diseases, and the obligation to inform the doctor or nurse in the case of any deviation related to vaccination (form 063-2). After that, the child is sent to the inoculation room, where the vaccination is given.

Now directly itself "The order of vaccination by age:

Photo: Ministry of Health of Ukraine

By complying with the vaccination calendar, children develop intense, persistent immunity to these diseases and make it impossible for them to develop in the event of unforeseen contact.

Children who have not been vaccinated according to the schedule of vaccinations are not allowed to visit children's institutions, which is specified in the Law "About Protection of Population against Infectious Diseases" from 2006.

So, dear parents, make the right choice to preserve the good health of your child!