Vaccinations in the baby

General

The subject of vaccination is still a hotly debated topic in Germany today. Vaccination opponents particularly criticize the fact that babies should be vaccinated at an early age.

The STIKO is the vaccination commission in Germany and issues recommendations, but there is no mandatory vaccination in Germany.

If you are wondering whether vaccination makes sense, read: Should I get my baby vaccinated?

Vaccinations from the 2nd month of life

Vaccinations are recommended from the age of two months.
Up to the 2nd month of life the children are protected by the so-called nest protection. The recommended vaccinations from the 2nd month of life include above all vaccinations against the so-called childhood diseases.

From the second month of life against:

• Tetanus (Tetanus),
• Diphtheria (Sore throat),
• Whooping cough,
• Haemophilus influenza (for example, it can cause meningitis)
• Polio (polio),
• Pneumococci (bacteria that can cause pneumonia, for example)
• Rotaviruses
  and
• hepatitis

be vaccinated.

Vaccinations for U4

The U4 examination is the fourth preventive medical examination for children, which takes place in the third to fourth month of life. The focus of the examination is the physical and mental development as well as that of the sensory organs. At this point the infant should have a certain head control while sitting, be able to bring their hands together in the midline and have developed the reactive smile. This means that the baby reacts to its environment, especially to faces, with a smile. This smile usually develops between the sixth and eighth week. The sense organs, especially sight and hearing, are also examined. Since the infants cannot express themselves yet, they have to be tricked a little. It is tested whether the infant fixes objects held up in front of them and follows them with their eyes. Hearing is tested in a similar way, namely whether the child moves their head towards the sounds. It also clarifies issues relating to nutrition and digestion, as well as possible difficulties with drinking and feeding. These include, for example, poor drinking, swallowing disorders, vomiting or whether there is an abnormal elimination.

In addition, various vaccinations are recommended at the time of the U4. This includes the six-fold vaccination recommended by STIKO against tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough (pertussis), polio (poliomyelitis), hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae B (Hib). You can also vaccinate against pneumococci at this time. All of these vaccines are dead vaccines. This means that the vaccine consists of whole killed pathogens, fragments of them or just their poison.

Read more on the topic: Six-fold vaccination - Infanrix

Live vaccines, on the other hand, consist of very few living pathogens that are weakened to such an extent that they can still multiply but no longer cause disease. These include the vaccines against mumps, measles, rubella and chickenpox (varicella). In order to be able to carry out live vaccines successfully and with few side effects, a fully developed immune system is required. Since this is only guaranteed for infants from nine months at the earliest, the mumps-measles-rubella (-Varicell) vaccination is not given until the 11th-14th Month of life recommended.

Read more on this topic: Vaccination against rubella

Vaccinations from the 11th month

The vaccination recommendations of the 3rd and 4th month same as that of the 2nd month. From the 11th month onwards:

• a measles-mumps-rubella,
• chickenpox and
• Meningococcal CVaccination recommended.

Up to the age of 11, almost all refresher courses are required afterwards.

Vaccination against diphtheria

The diphtheria is a highly contagious, dangerous Disease that affects the upper respiratory tract.
You can vaccinate from 3rd month of lifeUntil then, the child is usually protected by the mother, as antibodies during the pregnancy, but also afterwards through the Breast milk can be transferred.

The vaccination is through four times Vaccinated. The first time at around 3 months, the last is given at around 15 years of age. In order to be protected for life, after the last one should Vaccination every 10 years be vaccinated.

Vaccination against whooping cough

The Whooping cough vaccination is usually used in a combination vaccination tetanus and diphtheria given.

So your child does not have to be pricked again and again. In case you are pregnant and not against whooping cough are vaccinated, this can continue up to approx. Month of pregnancy to be rescheduled.

Vaccination against Haemophilus influenza B

Also Hib abbreviated.
Hib do you hear that Pathogens which are much more dangerous at a young age than in adults. You can get serious Infections of Epiglottis or also the Meninges to lead. From the 2nd to 3rd Month of life can be vaccinated against Hib in a secher vaccination.

Vaccination against pneumococci

Pneumococci are bacteria that can cause many different diseases.
For example, pneumococci Meningitis, Pneumonia and Ear infections trigger.

Vaccination against rotavirus

Against Rotaviruses can be vaccinated from the 6th week of life.
The STIKO does not recommend it directly, but it is noted under “for special occasions”. The rotavirus vaccination is one Oral vaccination and thus complete painless.

Rotaviruses viruses are the heavy ones Diarrhea and Vomit can cause in the little ones. It is not uncommon for these little ones to be treated in hospital. Diarrhea and vomiting can become a major one in infants in just a few hours dehydration to lead. This can very quickly become life-threatening. It is also advisable to protect yourself from rotaviruses hands as often as possible to wash and the environment if possible germ-free to keep.

Vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella

The Mumps measlesrubella Vaccination is one Combined vaccination which can be given from the 11th month of life. In addition, this can also be included in the combination vaccination Chickenpox virus be included.

Vaccination against meningococci

Meningococci are, along with pneumococci, among the main causes of Meningitis in the baby. Meningococcal disease can have serious consequences. Hence a vaccination from the 2nd year of life recommended.

6-fold vaccination

A vaccination with a six-fold vaccine, also called a hexavalent vaccine, serves as a basic immunization against polio, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, Haemophilus influenzae type b and hepatitis B. This vaccination is usually given in the first year of life and requires four injections. According to the recommendation of the Robert Koch Institute, these should take place in the second, third and fourth months and at the end of the first year of life.
If the vaccination schedule is followed, immunity can be achieved in over 90% of people. The main advantages of such a combination vaccination are the significantly reduced number of injections and lower costs. In addition, the low number of vaccination appointments generally results in a higher vaccination rate. The side effects of this 6-fold vaccination are, in addition to local reactions such as pain, reddening or swelling, rather harmless. In the course of the next few days, a slight fever can develop, but this is usually self-limiting. Since this vaccination is a dead vaccine, it cannot result in a corresponding infectious disease.

Vaccination for colds and diarrhea

Generally here All clear are given. With a mild cold, that is immune system preoccupied with some pathogen, but this does not affect the immune system in such a way that vaccination is advised against. Even with light diarrhea can usually be vaccinated. With a few exceptions, which are listed below, children can actually always vaccinated and the vaccinations are in most cases well tolerated. In the case of minor infections that do not have a fever, protection takes priority over the sometimes life-threatening diseases. Especially when children innate or diseases acquired in childhood or are born prematurely, they are special dependent on vaccination protection and should be vaccinated. Because these children are more susceptible to diseases and since they are weakened from the start, they pose Infectious diseases pose a great danger to them. Therefore, they must definitely be protected. Also a tendency to Febrile seizures or if the child has ever had a febrile seizure, this should not be a reason to decide against the vaccination. It is best to inform your pediatrician and talk to him about it. Is the child chronically ill and suffers from metabolic diseases such as Diabetes mellitus, on Convulsions, Newborn jaundice or Neurodermatitis it can still be vaccinated normally. Even with children Down syndrom the common vaccinations are harmless. Especially with heart defects Vaccinations important to protect the child. At Allergies It is safe to vaccinate as long as there is no allergy to any ingredient of the vaccination. In case of doubt, it is best to ask your pediatrician beforehand or he will point out the most dangerous allergies and ask before the vaccination.

Should the child be at the time of an upcoming vaccination Antibiotics take, this is also not a problem.

Is stronger diarrhea or a heavy one Cold, a consultation with the doctor is certainly not a mistake, you are on the safe side. Once up fever comes into play should the Vaccination date to be postponed, because the immune system is already struggling hard and cannot use another opponent. Furthermore, vaccination is not advisable in the case of a serious defect in the child's immune system. The same is true if that immune system through medication like cortisone is suppressed or Chemotherapy drugs be taken. The dosage of the respective medication plays a decisive role here, so that you should definitely speak to the doctor. There is also a vaccination concern if a vaccine has caused serious problems. Here, too, we recommend talking to your trusted pediatrician. If a vaccination has to be postponed, it should be made up as soon as possible.

Arguments in favor of vaccinations in babies

Per of the Vaccinations for babies:

For vaccinationseven at the tender age of two months the following Facts:

• By vaccinating early Prevents diseaseswhich can take difficult courses, especially with the very little ones. If a baby or older child is not vaccinated and is infected, for example Haemophilus Influenza in bad cases it can become severe Encephalitis With Consequence of death come. Even if a brain inflammation is survived, serious complications can arise, for example the child can remain severely disabled.
• Another strong argument in favor of vaccination is that extermination of diseases. For example, thanks to the polio vaccination polio been exterminated in Europe for years. However, in recent years there have been rare cases of polio in Denmark due to unvaccinated children.
• Another reason to have children vaccinated is that otherwise no alternative except to run the risk of the child becoming acquainted with the bacteria/Viruses infects and gets sick.

Side effects

Vaccinations also have their side effects. There are more frequent but harmless reactions and very rare, dangerous to life-threatening side effects.

The more common side effects include local vaccination reactions around the injection site, such as redness, swelling and pain in the affected area. Stains on the skin, referred to as marbling of the skin, can also occur depending on the vaccination and tolerance. Swelling of the lymph nodes can also occur in the area around the puncture site, but this is not particularly serious. In addition, short-term flu-like symptoms such as a rise in body temperature, i.e. fever, shivering, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, etc. can occur.

Read more on the topic Fever in baby after vaccination

All of these reactions are harmless and will go away on their own after a while. With the MMR vaccination (mumps, measles, rubella), the so-called vaccination measles can break out after approx. Seven to 12 days. This is the typical measles rash, which is neither dangerous nor contagious.

Read more about this under Rash after vaccination

Of course, there are also more dangerous side effects that many mothers fear and that are an important argument for those who oppose the vaccination to decide against vaccination. These side effects include, among other things, an allergic reaction up to allergic or anaphylactic shock, which without immediate therapy is definitely a life-threatening condition. Febrile seizures and meningoencephalitis, an inflammation of the meninges and brain, can also occur. However, these reactions mainly occurred earlier with vaccination against smallpox, oral poliomyelitis and tuberculosis. That has changed in the meantime, since smallpox has largely been eradicated and vaccination against tuberculosis is also not recommended. Although these vaccine reactions cannot be ruled out with complete certainty, they have become very rare today. In addition, in the case of serious illnesses that are temporally related to the vaccination, it is difficult to decide whether it is actually a vaccination complication or whether it is a coincidental temporal relationship in which the vaccination is not responsible for the onset of the illness . In the event of vaccination damage that goes beyond the usual level of vaccination reactions, there is an obligation to report to the health department. If serious vaccination complications arise that can be proven to be solely due to the vaccination, there is a right to compensation under the Federal Welfare Act. However, this only applies to recommended vaccinations.

According to the evaluation of the current KIGGS study (Childhood and Adolescent Health Survey of the Robert Koch Institute) in Germany, vaccinated children and adolescents do not have an increased risk of allergies and infections.

Further information on the subject can be found at: Side effects of vaccinations in babies

When do the side effects come from a vaccination?

When exactly the possible side effects of a vaccination set in depends on the type of vaccine used. A basic distinction is made between live and dead vaccines. The live vaccines contain live bacteria or viruses, but they cannot cause disease because they are weakened. They are therefore also called attenuated (weakened) vaccines. Since the body needs some time to fight these living bacteria or viruses, it can take up to two weeks for these vaccines to show the first side effects, such as fever. In the case of dead vaccines that only consist of components from bacteria or viruses, the possible side effects occur within the next three days after the vaccination.

Fever in baby after vaccination

A total of six vaccinations are recommended for a baby's first year of life. These are usually given as a so-called six-fold vaccine. This combination vaccine contains the vaccinations against diphtheria, whooping cough, polio, tetanus, hepatitis B and meningococci. In most cases, this prophylaxis is completed by vaccination against rotavirus and pneumococcus at the same time.
In general, these multiple vaccinations are very well tolerated and only have very minor side effects. Studies have shown that long-term damage is not to be expected. The most common side effect of vaccination, especially pneumococcal vaccination, is fever. This usually starts six to eight hours after the injection of the vaccine and can rise to 39 ° C. This is the case in around 25% of pneumococcal vaccinations. In most cases, the fever is self-limiting and decreases after two to three days.
If vaccinated with a live vaccine, it is possible that the fever will not develop until two weeks after the actual vaccination. However, the development of a fever is not a cause for concern. An increase in temperature is a healthy reaction to the vaccine. Since a live vaccine contains weakened bacteria in the vaccine, the body now learns to defend itself against these specific pathogens, which is sometimes associated with the development of a fever.
The fever only needs treatment at greatly increased temperatures above 39 ° C. To prevent the development of fever after a pneumococcal vaccination, suppositories with low-dose paracetamol (see also: Paracetamol suppositories). Otherwise, you should start lowering your fever from temperatures of around 38.5 ° C. In addition to using paracetamol in the form of suppositories, wet towels can also be used for this purpose. A possible complication that can arise as a result of persistently high temperatures is the development of febrile convulsions. However, this is very rare.

Read more on the subject at: Fever in baby after vaccination

Homeopathy / globules

A basic principle of homeopathy is that you only treat symptoms. In this respect, strictly speaking, homeopathic therapy can never be used as prophylaxis. Nonetheless, the substances thuja and silicea in particular are in circulation to prevent vaccination reactions.
If side effects occur after vaccination, there are some remedies that are used in homeopathy to treat them. In the case of a high fever and severe restlessness as a result of a vaccination, the administration of aconite is common. If thirstiness and sweaty skin are added to these symptoms, one would tend to give Belladonna. Other remedies that are used in the homeopathic treatment of vaccination sequences are Hepar sulfate, Rhus tox, Mercur and Sulfur.

Read more on the subject at: Homeopathy for fever

Vaccination opponents

Vaccination opponents state that this is the "natural"And from the"Nature wanted way“However, it should be noted that vaccinations are much less dangerous than contracting the disease and have fewer complications than the disease itself.

There are a few Naturopathic practices and Naturopathwho claim to be able to prevent diseases with natural means. However, it must be noted here that this Not scientific occupied could be. they offer no protection and are therefore not to be regarded as an alternative.

Opponents of the vaccination also state that babies are two months old too young were to be vaccinated, but studies show that vaccinations are well tolerated even at an early age. Also show the combination substances of up to 6 combinations no increased complication rate.

Further information is available from: Should I get my baby vaccinated?