Ramzi dresses his daughter in two knitted sweaters under her school uniform, making sure she wears thick socks and a coat, even though winter hasn't strongly knocked on their doors yet. He advises her to wear a mask inside and outside the classroom and to avoid contact with anyone showing signs of a cold or illness. His obsession stems not from concern for his daughter's health, but from a fear of a cold that could cost him millions. Ramzi's situation reflects that of many families in Lebanon today, who are suffering from soaring prices and chaos in costs, making medical care and medication their biggest nightmare. Some have even started to "ignore" certain medicines and vaccinations, which, if available, are priced in the tens of dollars, not counting the cost of a doctor's visit.
This situation has led some to regard essential vaccinations for children under one year as secondary, especially for those with twins or more children, and whose financial situation is strained. This poses a threat to the children's health, making them susceptible to many diseases. However, what many parents of children under one year may not know is that they can choose between the free vaccines provided by the Ministry of Health, which are available from a significant number of doctors contracted with the ministry, and other vaccines available from some doctors that are paid for in dollars. The difference between the two types is that the first is Indian and causes fever and swelling, meaning it has side effects, while the second has only a 3% chance of resulting in fever.
Pediatrician Asad Issa explains in an interview with MTV that the vaccines provided by the Ministry of Health are made in India and have proven effective over many decades, although they do cause fever because they are considered an older generation. In contrast, the paid vaccines from doctors have no side effects, enabling parents to choose what suits them best. Nevertheless, the most important thing is not to miss any of these vaccinations because the health of our children is a priority.
