I took my boy to the paediatrician recently and was asked whether I wish to vaccinate him against pneumococcal disease. Apparently this vaccine is available now and although its not a must yet, parents can consider giving their child this vaccine.
What is pneumococcal disease? Pneumococcal disease describes a grop of illness caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, also known as pneumococcus. It is a serious infection that occurs most commonly in children, particularly those under 2 years of age.
The pneumococcus bug can cause meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain), pneumonia (infection of the lung), septicaemia (blood infection), as well as otitis media (infection in the middle ear).
I'm no medical person, just a parent. I got the above information from the Wyeth leaflet the doctor handed to me. All of the above sounds rather serious so this needs careful consideration.
The doctor says that my girl won't need it since she is 4 1/2 years old now but she recommends one jab for my boy who is 2 1/2 years old. She says that this jab can be given to babies as early as 4 months of age and if given at that age, the baby will require 4 jabs altogether ie 3 jabs plus a booster one. Each jab will cost about RM300.
This is just one more of the many decisions a parent has to make. Its expensive but costs aside, as parents we still have numerous concerns and worries about the safety and effects of vaccines. One has to weigh carefully about whether its better to prevent vs our concerns and worries.
My daughter had her jab at 3 years old. 1 jab is sufficient and it costs slightly over RM300 in all.
ReplyDeletepablopabla,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
belum amik lagi for Amir & Arif.. i'm more concern abt chicken pox right now.. isk..
ReplyDeletehazel,
ReplyDeleteYes, have to decide on whether to give them a chicken pox jab too...
wah that's expensive la .... my kids jab only cost 250 each plus consultation.
ReplyDeletetwin,
ReplyDeleteReally ah?
Alamak, you reminded me, i've yet to bring Damien for the jab..my PD charge around S$180 for the jab.
ReplyDeleteHi blurblur,
ReplyDeleteHey, I forgot to mention to you that I've moved my personal rantings to another blog.
Hi. My daughter's paed said if a child is above 2 years old, he/she needs only 1 jab which cost RM300. If below 2, the child would need 2 jabs :D Am thinking of waiting until my 19 month old daughter is 2 years old.
ReplyDelete