Vaccinations and COVID-19: What parents need to know – UNICEF

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has brought with it fear and uncertainty. Many parents are asking about when there will be a COVID-19 vaccine and what to do about routine childhood vaccinations during the pandemic. We're here to provide answers to your most common questions.

As of now [23 April], there are no specific vaccines or treatments for COVID-19. Scientists around the world are working hard to develop a vaccine against the disease. In fact, many different vaccines are being developed simultaneously, with two of them at the front of the process. Innovative approaches to vaccine development are being used, based partially in what was learn from the responses to Ebola and SARS. If successful, this will be fastest vaccine development and validation process in history.

Researchers are also looking for drugs to slow down how the virus spreads in the body and reduce the serious breathing problems it can cause in ill patients. But even with the fastest methods, the use of drugs in humans for a new disease needs to be tested to ensure safety and efficacy.

>>See how to wash your hands and cleaning tips to protect against COVID-19.

While COVID-19 is disrupting our daily lives, the short answer is yes, do try to get your child vaccinated where services are available. It is important that children and babies keep their vaccinations up to date because they protect them from serious diseases. It means that when your children can return to interacting with other children, theyll have protection from some other diseases too.

If you are unsure of whether or not your immunization service is still running as usual, please check with your health care provider. Because the COVID-19 situation is changing every day, you might find your health care providers will be adjusting their way of providing care as things change. If you cannot get to a clinic when your childs next vaccinations are due, make a note somewhere to try again as soon as the services resume.

This outbreak reminds us of how valuable vaccines are. It shows us that when there is a vaccine available for a disease, we should keep our children and ourselves up to date with that vaccination. Without the protection of vaccines, diseases can spread quickly and with terrible consequences. For example, measles and other diseases remain a constant risk. We are so fortunate to have the protection of vaccines against these diseases.

Vaccines help train our immune system to fight infections by introducing an inactivated form of a germ (bacteria or virus) into the body. Since it is inactivated, it cannot make us sick. However, it triggers our bodys immune system to produce defences called antibodies. Then, if you ever catch the germ, your bodys immune system will already know how to fight it.

>>Watch our mini parenting masterclass on getting your babys first vaccines.

Contact your health care provider, consult your local and national health authority websites and follow guidance provided by WHO and UNICEF.

Some of theprecautions you and your family can take to help avoid infection include:

In addition to all of the advice already given to parents about hand washing, physical distancing and maintaining hygiene practices, they should take extra care to protect infants from infection. Breastfeed your baby if possible. There is currently no proven research that breastmilk can transmit the virus, but you should take the usual hygiene and respiratory protection (while breastfeeding as well as at other times) to avoid respiratory transmission. Use antibacterial wipes if available to wipe down countertops and diaper-changing surfaces once a day.

Try to ensure young children have the same caregivers to reduce the number of people they come into contact with. Those caregivers should be encouraged to wash their hands regularly, avoid sharing things that go in mouths such as cups and stay away if they feel at all sick.

If your child has a sore throat, a cough or a fever, call your doctor or health service for advice before bringing them in. They may have a special arrangement at the clinic to minimise spread of infection to others.If your child has more serious symptoms, like shortness of breath or seems unusually sick, call the emergency number or take them to the nearest emergency department.

Most children with COVID-19 have mild symptoms or may have no symptoms at all. But its important to protect the elderly and others more vulnerable to serious infections. So keep your child at home if you think they have been exposed to COVID-19 or have it, but make sure to call their doctor or a health worker for advice.

As with other respiratory infections like the flu, seek care early if you or your child are having symptoms. Try to avoid going to public places (like a workplace, schools, or public transport), and dont be in contact with the elderly or immunocompromised family members. If you live with an elderly person as well, it is recommended to separate the generations in the household.

You dont need to have your child tested if he or she is healthy and not showing any symptoms (such as fever, cough or difficulty breathing). Do also make sure to take all key steps to protect your family against COVID-19.

>>Learn more about immunization

>>World Immunization Week

Go here to read the rest:

Vaccinations and COVID-19: What parents need to know - UNICEF