IDAI Emphasises Importance of Vaccination Even if Breast Milk Needs Are Met

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Paediatric Society (IDAI) emphasises the importance of vaccination even though the child’s need to consume breast milk (ASI) has been adequately met. “Not everything in breast milk can protect against certain diseases. For example, why is the hepatitis vaccine given after the baby is born, the polio vaccine, and also the diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus vaccine?” said Member of the Coordinating Work Unit (UKK) for Growth and Development and Social Paediatrics IDAI, Dr. dr. Rodman Tarigan, Sp.A, Subsp.T.K.P.S (K), during an online discussion in Jakarta on Tuesday. Rodman stated that vaccination provides different benefits from breast milk because it offers specific protection. While breast milk provides general protection and meets the baby’s nutritional needs, vaccines can enhance protection against diseases that are far more dangerous to health in terms of transmission. Several diseases that require specific protection from vaccines include hepatitis, polio, diphtheria to tetanus. “For instance, kissed by their parents, kissed by their grandmother, someone carries them perhaps without washing their hands, or during the incubation period, they are actually sick but unaware, they kiss-kiss, the grandchild kisses back, starting exposure and eventually the baby gets sick,” he said. Nevertheless, Rodman emphasised that all parties agree that breast milk is the best nutrition for babies up to six months of age, and it would be even better if continued until two years of age. Breast milk also contains various proteins, carbohydrates, and antibodies tailored to the baby’s needs. He mentioned that the antibodies in breast milk will form immunity that protects the baby from various infections. “Breast milk can boost immunity, protect (the baby) from infections, and also maintain energy. So it’s very complete, because it’s said that one drop of breast milk has an extraordinary content,” he said. He hopes that the public can be more discerning in selecting information amid rapid technological advancements and understand the great benefits provided by vaccines. Thus, children can avoid various dangerous infectious diseases and can grow more optimally.