GSK Introduces Vaccination Awareness Campaign For Children

GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Limited initiated a multichannel campaign to raise awareness about immunizations, which give important protection to children aged one to two years. The Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) recommends seven vaccinations for children in this age group: a first dose of chickenpox and hepatitis A, a second dose of meningitis and MMR, booster doses of PCV and DTP Hib IPV, and an annual flu shot. Although immunization coverage is excellent in India during the first year, dropout rates rise in the second year. A sizable proportion of children in the country remain partially immunized.

The campaign encourages parents to continue the immunisation schedule even in the second year of their children’s lives to ensure continued protection against such preventable diseases through vaccination. Partial vaccination can put them at risk of serious complications from infectious diseases. Children who are partially vaccinated can also transmit the infection to their younger unvaccinated siblings or elderly grandparents who are more vulnerable to these diseases, as per economic times.

Dr Rashmi Hegde, Executive Vice President, Medical Affairs, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals, India, said, “In the past three years, there have been outbreaks of certain vaccine-preventable diseases such as chickenpox, measles, and flu in the country. Vaccine-preventable diseases not only disrupt children’s health for a short time, but they have a long-term effect on their developmental milestones. Completing the full immunisation schedule holds the promise of a healthy and happy childhood, which further ensures that children grow into healthy adults. Through this campaign, we want to communicate to parents the need to give their children the recommended vaccinations even in the second year of their life.”

The corporation has started the campaign through many means, including television, social media, and posters in paediatric clinics around the country. Parents should see their pediatricians to learn more about their children's vaccination schedule.