Hyderabad: MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccines are administered by nurses and auxiliary nurse midwife (ANM) in schools, resulting in pain for children. The vaccines are administered subcutaneously and not intramuscular which is causing the pain. Dr Arif Ahmed, a paediatrician, said, “MMR is a part of the vaccination scheduled for children. The first vaccine is given when the baby is nine months old, second during 15 months and the third when the baby reaches four years old. The vaccines help to prevent the outbreak of MMR in children. Children from the affluent class have completed it.”
Recently, at Malakpet hospital there was resistance from parents to vaccinate their children. A three-year-old girl was not allowed to be vaccinated by her father who was scared. Dr Narsimulu K., senior professor of internal medicine, said, “The vaccine is being given to all. For this reason, all the children need to be covered. It is only one dose which has all the three benefits.
Even if children have been vaccinated earlier, giving them again will not cause any side-effects. It is completely safe. The nurses and ANMs have been trained by the government for the same.” The government has covered more than seven lakh children and has to cover more than 90 million by September 15.
