6 in 1 Vaccination for Babies - Why It's Worth Considering for Every Parent.
Timely vaccination is important, especially in the early years of a child’s life. Immunizing children protects them from a host of serious diseases that their immune systems may otherwise not be able to fight off.
How Do Vaccination Work?
An attenuated or weaker form of the virus or bacteria that causes the diseases/illness is administered via vaccination. Our bodies are designed to produce antibodies to counter any foreign antigen. If in future, any of these viruses or bacterial enter the body, these antibodies could attack them, protecting the person against the diseases.
Babies with their developing immune systems are given multiple vaccinations over the course of the first couple of years. Some parents would want to save their little ones from pain. Thanks to the advancements in vaccinology, combination vaccination like the 6-in-1 vaccination are now helping protect children, without the discomfort of getting multiple shots.
What is the 6-in-1 Vaccination?
Just as the name suggests, 6in1 vaccination is a single vaccination that protects a newborn against six serious diseases, including diphtheria, whooping cough (pertussis), hepatitis B, Hib disease (Haemophilus influenzae type b), polio, and tetanus. Combination vaccination could mean fewer visits to the doctor, less injections and pain for your baby and definitely more convenience!
Understanding the 6 Diseases and it’s Prevention
The combination vaccination safeguards young babies against six contagious diseases. There are:
1. Polio
Poor sanitary conditions and contaminated water and food are the causes of Polio. It majorly affect children under five years of age. No or poor treatment can lead to permanent disabilities, like paralysis and even death. Polio can be prevented by maintaining good sanitation, proper hygiene, and vaccination.
2. Pertussis
Also known as whooping cough, pertussis is a respiratory disease transmitted through infectious droplets. Since it is highly communicable, children should be kept away from anyone who has this infection. Pertussis can be prevented by isolating from the infected person and vaccination.
3. Diphtheria
Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the nose and throat in infants. It can cause severe problems like breathing difficulties, lung infection, paralysis, etc. Diphtheria can be prevented by isolating from the infected person and vaccination.
4. Hib disease (Haemophilus influenzae type b)
Hib is a bacterial disease that causes pneumonia, meningitis, and other severe diseases in children below five years. Hepatitis B can be prevented by maintaining good sanitation, proper hygiene, and vaccination
5. Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a viral disease known to cause liver damage. It can be both chronic and acute. A pregnant mother can also pass on the infection to her baby during birth. Hepatitis B can be prevented by avoiding blood & bodily fluid contact with infected person, good sanitation, and vaccination.
6. Tetanus
Tetanus is a bacterial disease that causes muscle stiffness in the neck, jaw, and other parts of the body. It often enters the host through cuts and wounds, but proper wound care and vaccination can prevent tetanus. Tetanus can be prevented by wound care & maintenance and vaccination.
Recommended Age for the 6-in-1 Vaccination
Aligned to the schedule recommended by the Indian Academy of pediatrics (IAP), the DTP-IPV-Hib-HepB should be given to babies at the age of 6, 10 and 14 weeks. 6-in-1 vaccination provides protection for these 6 diseases. If your baby has missed the routine vaccination, that’s not a problem, it’s never too late to check with your child’s paediatrician about catching up. For additional information, please consult your Paediatrician.
Benefits of the 6-in-1 Vaccination
The 6-in-1 vaccination offers a range of benefits to both babies and parents.
Benefits for Babies:
- On-time protection
- Less injection pricks
- Less pain of multiple injections and discomfort
Benefits for Parents:
1. More convenience
2. Fewer visits to the Pediatrician
3. Less time off from work or family activity
Won’t Combining Multiple Antigens Cause More Side Effects?
Side effects from the 6-in-1 vaccination are similar to those of individual vaccination. The swelling or pain at the injection site may be slightly more with the combination vaccination, though it would still be less than the pain of administering multiple injections. Other side effects, common to most vaccinations, include fever, irritability, and loss of appetite.
In times when health is of the utmost importance, 6in1 vaccination offers convenience to newborns as well as to their parents. If your newborn is due for his/her vaccination, make sure you consult your paediatrician to know more.
For more details on the 6-in-1 vaccination, click here.
Disclaimer: Issued in public interest by GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Limited. Dr. Annie Besant Road, Worli, Mumbai 400 030, India.
Information appearing in this material is for general awareness only. Nothing contained in this material constitutes medical advice. Please consult your doctor for any medical queries, any question or concern you may have regarding your condition. The disease list indicated for vaccination is not complete, please consult your child’s Paediatrician for the complete vaccination schedule.
CL code: NP-IN-INH-OGM-220017, DoP March 2022
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