Haemophilus influenza virus normally infects the respiratory system of humans, animals and birds. Infection by Haemophilus influenza results in fever, headache, cough, nausea, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea and malaise, which is feeling tired and no energy in the body. Influenza infections are more fatal than most common cold infections and can result to a mortality rate of about 0.1% of people infected with influenza. Polio virus is the causative agent of poliomyelitis. Poliomyelitis is commonly known as Polio and it is an acute viral infectious disease which is spread from person to person mostly through the fecal -oral route. Transmission of polio mainly occurs through contact with stool of the infected person (Atkinson, 2006).
Babies are born with natural acquired immunity against certain diseases .They obtain the immunity through the passage of the antibodies through the mother’s placenta during birth. During breastfeeding, the babies continue getting protection against diseases but the protection is temporary. Thus, the babies need to be immunized against most diseases by being vaccinated. Vaccination is done using a small amount of a killed or weakened form of the microorganism that causes the particular disease. All babies should get vaccinated against diseases because their immune system is not well developed and this makes them vulnerable to infections.
Babies should get immunization against polio virus by administration of the polio vaccine which is called the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV). Children should get four doses of the polio vaccine which should be properly spaced. The first dose should be administered at 2 months, the second dose at 4 months, and the third dose at 6-18 months and a booster dose at 4-6 years of age. IPV is very effective in preventing polio, but only when all recommended doses are completed. A single dose of IPV provides little or no immunity against polio. It is thus important for babies to be immunized against polio virus when they are still young to prevent contracting polio. Polio can cause paralysis of the muscles that help one to breathe thus it can lead to death. (Atkinson, 2006).
Babies should also get immunized against Haemophilus influenza virus because it can cause fatal meningitis, epiglottitis and other invasive diseases. The vaccine against Haemophilus influenza is Haemophilus influenza serotype b (Hib). The widespread use of Hib vaccines in infants has led to a significant decline in the incidences of invasive Hib disease in children. The vaccine is normally administered in four doses. The first dose is given at 2 months, the second dose at 4 months, and the third dose at 6 months. A booster dose is given at 12-15 months of age. Young children are at risk of severe or complicated influenza infection. Immunization against influenza is recommended for all persons older than 6 months (Yogev, 1990).
Therefore, it is very important that babies are immunized against Haemophilus Influenza and Polio viruses because these diseases can be fatal or can cause serious complication if one contracts the disease later in life due to lack of immunization.
