Vaccination Counseling and Preventive Child Health
Vaccination Counseling and Preventive Child Health
Vaccines are the most powerful and effective tool in preventive medicine. Vaccines have ensured that many infectious diseases, which once claimed the lives of millions of children, have been completely eradicated or are now only mild in nature. At the Egemed Hospitals Pediatric Health Clinic, we operate with the understanding that vaccination is not merely a “shot” but a medical investment in a child’s future.
National Immunization Schedule Guidelines
The routine vaccination schedule established by the Turkish Ministry of Health is strictly followed at our clinic. Hepatitis B, Tuberculosis (BCG), combined vaccines (Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Hib), Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR), and Chickenpox vaccines are administered in strict compliance with cold chain protocols. After each vaccination, families are provided with transparent information about potential side effects (such as mild fever or redness at the injection site).
Consultation on Non-Routine Vaccinations
Comprehensive counseling is provided to families regarding special vaccines that are not included in the national immunization schedule but are strongly recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and international pediatric associations:
- Rotavirus Vaccine: Protects against rotavirus infection, which causes severe diarrhea and dehydration in infants and is one of the most common causes of hospitalization. It is administered orally in the form of drops.
- Meningococcal (Meningitis) Vaccines: To protect against meningitis—an inflammation of the brain’s lining that can become life-threatening within hours—our physicians develop vaccination schedules that cover various strains (A, C, W, Y, and B).
- HPV (Cervical Cancer) Vaccine: Administered to adolescents (both girls and boys), it provides a high level of protection against HPV-related cancers that may develop later in life.
- Influenza (Flu) Vaccine: It is recommended that children with chronic illnesses or those who frequently get sick receive the vaccine annually with updated strains to protect against the flu virus, which spreads easily in daycare and school settings, especially during the winter months.