Vaccination vital to protect children from deadly diseases, says expert

Stressing on the importance of timely immunisation for children, the Health Department today organised a special awareness programme at the Civil Hospital, Ludhiana. The initiative aimed to educate parents and the general public about the life-saving benefits of vaccination.

Speaking at the event, District Immunization Officer Dr Harpreet Singh highlighted that vaccines safeguard children against several dangerous illnesses, including measles, polio, tuberculosis, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, hepatitis, meningitis and rubella.

He explained that vaccines administered from birth until the age of five significantly strengthened a child’s immunity and reduced the risk of severe infections.

Dr Singh cautioned that missing scheduled doses could leave children vulnerable to life-threatening diseases. He reassured parents that under the National Immunisation Programme, all essential vaccines were available free of cost at government health centres across the district. Parents were urged to maintain their child’s vaccination card carefully and ensure their timely immunisation.

Addressing common misconceptions, Dr Singh clarified that vaccines were completely safe and scientifically tested. “Some children may experience mild fever after vaccination, but this is temporary and not a cause for concern,” he said. He encouraged parents to consult the nearest health centre if any scheduled dose was missed.

The awareness programme also featured inputs from District Mass Media and Information Officer Parminder Singh who emphasised on the role of community participation in ensuring universal immunisation coverage.

Officials noted that Ludhiana had seen significant progress in vaccination drives, but challenges remained in reaching migrant families and raising awareness in the rural pockets.

The Health Department plans to intensify outreach campaigns through schools, Anganwadi centres and local NGOs to ensure no child is left unprotected.