Immunization of children is an important component of child- survival with efforts focusing on six childhood diseases of tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertusis, tetanus, polio and measles. The objective of Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) was to extend immunization coverage against these diseases to achieve 100 per cent immunization.
Immunization children against preventable infectious diseases is important is the medical profession. These are two ways of immunization.
Active immunization – means stimulation of production and injection of a suitable antigen, some infections do not give lasting immunity (resistance) to further attacks by similar organisms for example, Pneumonia, throat and ear infection and some viral infection. Active immunization is more important and should be carried out against preventable infectious diseases in infancy and childhood to give lasting immunity. Active immunization entails the introduction of a foreign molecule into the body, which causes the body itself to generate immunity against the target. This immunity comes from the T cells and the B cells with their antibodies.
Passive immunization – Passive immunization is where pre-synthesized elements of the immune system are transferred to a person so that the body does not need to produce these elements itself. Currently, antibodies can be used for passive immunization. This method of immunization begins to work very quickly, but it is short lasting, because the antibodies are naturally broken down, and if there are no B cells to produce more antibodies, they will disappear.
Passive immunization occurs physiologically, when antibodies are transferred from mother to fetus during pregnancy, to protect the fetus before and shortly after birth.
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