Detailed Summary
Immunisation plays a vital role in ensuring good health and well-being, particularly among children. It is not solely dependent on adequate nutrition. The concept relies on the use of vaccines containing inactive forms of bacteria, viruses, or toxins, which are administered to children. These inactive components do not cause infection but instead trigger the immune system to produce antibodies. When children are later exposed to the actual germ, their immune system can effectively respond to and eliminate the threat.
Key Points:
- Vaccine Action: Vaccines work by introducing inactive pathogens, prompting the immune system to create specific antibodies without causing diseases.
- National Immunisation Schedule: The section outlines the immunisation schedule recommended by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), detailing the vaccines to be administered at specific ages to maximize disease prevention. The schedule includes vaccines for:
- Birth: BCG, OPV, HEP B
- 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks: OPV, PENTA (which includes DPT, HEP B, HiB)
- 9 months: MR (Measles, Rubella)
- Consequences of Malnutrition: The text further notes that poor nutrition exacerbates the risk of diseases in children, particularly in rural and tribal areas. Malnutrition is closely related to an increased incidence of infections, impacting child health significantly.
- Need for Public Health Awareness: It discusses how a lack of health care access, literacy, and knowledge of nutrition can lead to malnutrition and compromise health outcomes.
This section highlights that through proper immunisation practices, children can develop lifelong immunity against communicable diseases, significantly reducing mortality and morbidity rates.