Good evening doctor. My baby is turning 4 months on this Sunday, the 22nd. All vaccines have been given as per schedule viz. Rotavirus, IPV etc. However, kindly advise on the pneumococcal vaccine. Doctor informed us that its a dose of 3 injections and an optional one and not a mandatory one. Please guide us and oblige. Will there be any adverse effects if not taken? Regards.
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This is a very pertinent question and many parents in india would have the same questions in their mind. Let us get down to the basics first. Vaccine is something which gives your baby extra protection against a particular disease. The human body is equipped with an immune system, which normally protects from disease causing germs. Vaccines only strengthens the immune system. Taking a vaccines does not guarantee that your baby would not get the infection, but it decreases the risk markedly. Similarly not taking the vaccine, does not mean your baby is certainly going to have the disease, but it definitely reduces the risk significantly. So giving the vaccine is surely an advantage. The disadvantage is the price, as the pneumococcal vaccine is quite costly compared to other vaccines. The government can not bear the cost for all the eligible children in india, so as for now parents have to pay if they wish to give this advantage to their baby.
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