One of the greatest health achievements in the twentieth century was the near-elimination of the common childhood infectious illnesses by 95 to 100 per cent. However, these "bad bugs" are still in our environment and our children need their immune systems to be ready to protect against them.
Through immunisations, your baby is protected from serious diseases like polio, whooping cough and all the others listed on this chart. Young infants are at the greatest risk, so babies need all of these immunisations before their second birthday. Because vaccines are always being improved and because different brands of injections may be slightly different, your own GP may have a slightly different schedule of injections for your baby. In any case, keep a chart like the one below handy so you can keep track of your baby's injections and double-check with your GP at each visit to make sure your baby is up to date. Your baby's Red Book should be kept up to date. New vaccines are on the horizon, so don't be surprised by changes in this schedule.
In later years (ages 4 to 6 and 11 to 16), your child will need to have "boosters", additional injections. But your child will get most of the vaccines before 18 months, when the risk of illness is greatest. Be sure to keep his immunisation record all through childhood and take it to each health visit.
Immunisation Chart
Illness Guide
What's the Downside?
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| 1. The exact timing varies according to location, but three injections are needed to complete the series. Boosters may be needed later. Thimerosal-free (mercury-free) vaccines are now available. 2. The new form of the vaccine, DTaP, contains an acellular form of the pertussis vaccine. It is becoming the preferred form as it produces less fever. DTP is still used in many cases and provides good protection as it has for the past 30 years. 3. The Hib vaccine may be combined with other vaccines or given as a separate injection. Because this immunisation comes in slightly different forms, it's important to stay with the same clinic or surgery for the series. If this isn't possible, make sure you take your immunisation card on which the exact vaccine information is recorded so your doctor can match your previous dose. In some cases, the 6-month dose may not be needed. 4. Oral polio is given, though an injectable form is also available. Check with your GP. 5. There are several forms of this vaccine, which are active against different types of this bacteria. 6. It is not given as a routine vaccination. Ask your child's GP whether your child should have this vaccination. 7. Hepatitis A vaccine (Hep-A), protecting against a certain kind of liver infection, is recommended for certain regions of the country based upon the frequency of that disease. Ask your child's GP whether your child should have this injection. It can be given one or more times after 2 years of age. 8. Meningitis C vaccine is now given routinely at 2, 3 and 4 months of age. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Official information on vaccines is available from the Department of Health, Welsh Office, Scottish Office and DHSS in Northern Ireland. Immunisation against Infectious Disease is updated regularly.
Here's a list of vaccines and descriptions of the diseases they prevent. Fortunately, modern medicine is continually developing new and better vaccines so that your baby can be protected from these serious illnesses with fewer injections and less discomfort.
DIPHTHERIA (the "D" in the DTP vaccine)
HAEMOPHILUS INFLUENZA/TYPE B (Hib vaccine)
HEPATITIS A
HEPATITIS B
MEASLES ( the first "M" of the MMR vaccine)
MENINGITIS
MUMPS (the second "M" of the MMR vaccine)
PERTUSSIS, also known as whooping cough (the "P" in the DTP vaccine)
PNEUMOCOCCAL DISEASES
POLIO (IPV, the injectable polio vaccine, administered as a jab, or in some cases OPV, the oral polio vaccine, administered in the mouth)
RUBELLA (the "R" of the MMR vaccine)
TETANUS, also known as "lockjaw" (the "T" in the DTP vaccine)
VARICELLA ZOSTER or "Chicken Pox" (the VZV injection)
DIPHTHERIA (the "D" in the DTP vaccine). Diphtheria is a serious respiratory illness that causes a thick coating or film in the nose, throat and air passages, which can lead to breathing problems, heart failure, paralysis and even death. Up to 20 per cent of individuals who get the disease die from it. Very young children are at the greatest risk.
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HAEMOPHILUS INFLUENZA/ TYPE B (Hib vaccine). Haemophilus influenza is a bacterial infection that can cause pneumonia, meningitis, severe swelling in the throat and other serious infections. It is also a regular cause of bacterial otitis, ear infection. Before the vaccine, haemophilus influenza killed or seriously disabled thousands of children. It is most common in children under 5.
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HEPATITIS A (the Hep-A injection). Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver, causing fever, tiredness, jaundice and loss of appetite. Although most children have few or no symptoms, infected adults can be ill for months or even years. Hepatitis A is usually transmitted from person to person through faecal contamination and commonly occurs in certain communities in outbreaks. Very young children in developing countries tend to get this disease, although just under 2,000 cases are reported in the United Kingdom every year. In addition to the Hep-A vaccine, immunoglobulin injections are often administered to provide additional protection to children over 2 who are at risk because of household or community exposure. Although Hep-A is not a routine vaccine, it may be advised in some communities, for children travelling overseas, and for members of a household or nursery with an infected person.
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HEPATITIS B. Hepatitis is a viral disease of the liver that can be very serious, even leading to liver failure or chronic liver disease. Three doses of hepatitis B vaccine are needed for full protection. Adolescents and adults may also get this series for protection. Those who have had the disease may have an increased chance of getting liver cancer later in life. So early protection has long- and short-term effects.
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MEASLES (the first "M" of the MMR vaccine). Measles (also called "red" or "hard" measles) is a viral illness causing a rash, cough and fever and can lead to diarrhoea, ear infections, pneumonia, brain damage or death. Children at greatest risk are those with malnutrition or chronic illnesses. Measles outbreaks occur every year in the United Kingdom and it is a common illness around the globe.
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MENINGITIS. Meningitis is a very serious infection of the brain that can be caused by several bacteria, including Neisseria Meningitis A, B and C. The Meningitis C vaccine does not protect against Meningitis BNA.
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MUMPS (the second "M" of the MMR vaccine). Mumps causes fever, headache and swelling of the parotid gland in front of the ear. In some cases it leads to meningitis, an infection of the brain and spinal cord, or encephalitis, a swelling of the brain. It can also lead to hearing loss, and, in boys and men, can cause swollen testicles and possibly infertility. Mumps can be very serious and very painful in adults, so it's best to get immunised early in life.
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PERTUSSIS, also known as whooping cough (the "P" in the DTP vaccine). Pertussis, or whooping cough, causes coughing and choking that lasts for weeks. The coughing spell is followed by the characteristic "whoop" of the child trying to catch his breath. Vomiting afterwards is common. Pertussis can lead to pneumonia, seizures, brain damage or death. Very young children who are not immunised are at the greatest risk and often need to be hospitalised if they become ill. Adults who catch the disease may become very ill but usually recover. Unfortunately, they may pass on the disease to infants and young children.
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PNEUMOCOCCAL DISEASES. The pneumococcus bacterium can cause pneumonia and meningitis and is the most common bacterial cause of ear infections. There are several subtypes of pneumococcus, and vaccines protect against some but not all of them. Young infants are at greatest risk from these infections. This is not given routinely but is given to those with special risks. Children over 7 months and under 2 years who missed the vaccine as infants will benefit from one or more of these injections. Children older than 2 in certain groups may also need this vaccination.
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POLIO (IPV, the injectable polio vaccine, administered as a jab, or OPV, the oral polio vaccine, administered in the mouth). Polio is a common virus that causes fever, sore throat, nausea, headaches, diarrhoea, stomach aches and stiffness and weakness in the neck, back and legs. It's considered an old-fashioned disease that caused paralysis. However, it's only old-fashioned because so many of us received the vaccine. In addition to paralysis, polio can cause breathing difficulty or death. The injectable form is preferable, as the oral vaccine may be released into the environment by the bowel movements. However, for those going to a foreign country where polio is common or if there is an epidemic, the oral form gives the best protection for the individual.
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RUBELLA (the "R" of the MMR vaccine). Also known as "German measles", rubella is a mild viral illness that causes a rash on the face and neck, mild fever and swollen glands. It can cause arthritis, especially in women and girls. If pregnant women become infected, their babies can have birth defects or die. Immunisation in childhood protects the next generation.
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TETANUS, also known as "lockjaw" (the "T" in the DTP vaccine). Tetanus causes serious and painful muscle spasms and is often deadly. It's sometimes called "lockjaw" because it causes the muscles in the jaw to "lock", making it difficult or impossible to eat. Breathing failure causes death. The bacteria live in dirt and thrive when they get into deep cuts or puncture wounds.
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VARICELLA ZOSTER or "Chicken Pox" (the VZV injection). Chicken pox is a highly contagious infection with a blistering rash and respiratory symptoms, which, in most cases, is not harmful to healthy children. It can be harmful to small infants, to adults who haven't had the disease or the vaccine, and to people with immune deficiencies. It is not given as a routine immunisation. The disease lasts 7 to 21 days and its long incubation period means that children harbouring the disease will pass it on to hundreds of people before anyone knows they are ill. Pneumonia, serious skin infection, brain damage and other problems can complicate the disease, especially for adults. It's best to get the disease or the vaccination when young. Non-immune women may give birth to infants who are at serious risk if exposed to chicken pox early in life. Most people who have the injection will be protected, but those immunised people who get chicken pox will get a very mild case.
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Immunisations are one of the great triumphs of the millennium, making dramatic changes in the lives of our children. Although there are risks of side effects, these risks are very low, the incidence of problems very rare, and all are far less serious than the risks associated with the disease. Many parents today grew up without seeing the illnesses against which we immunise children, so it's sometimes hard to see why we do it, particularly if their child develops a fever or a sore leg. Anyone who has seen the very serious effects of whooping cough, diphtheria or measles will be in no doubt that the immunisations are worthwhile. But you should be informed of the risks of all medical procedures. Here are a few to think about with immunisations.
Possible "Good Problems": Minor Responses That Often Follow Immunisations
Fever. We expect some fever with most of the vaccinations - it's a sign that the body is responding as we wish to the injection, building up immunity. In general, the fever increases with each subsequent dose of a particular vaccination. When fever occurs after an injection, have your thermometer and the correct dose of paracetamol at the ready. Call your GP if the fever becomes high or lasts more than a day or two.
Local redness, bumps. The place where your child is given the injection will be a little tender and may develop a small bump. This is another sign that the injection is working to spark the body's response. Paracetamol or ibuprofen and a warm flannel on the spot will ease any discomfort. Call your GP if the red area is bigger than a five pence piece, produces any pus or is still red after two to three days. Sometimes a little area of fat damage at the injection site can leave a small hard lump that lasts a month or two but will go away. It shouldn't be red or tender, however.
A rash. Sometimes, the injection creates a mini-illness of the type we are immunising against. The symptoms, which can develop up to two weeks after the injection, are very mild and usually cause little concern.
Possible Bad Problems
An allergic reaction. This is extremely rare but very serious. Sometimes children are allergic to the components used in the vaccine and develop an allergic reaction. For example, children with egg allergies will have trouble with vaccines made from viruses originally grown on eggs. Symptoms of this allergic response may include a blotchy, red rash (hives), shortness of breath, wheezing, breathing difficulties, paleness, dizziness or a fast heartbeat. These symptoms develop within minutes to hours after the injection. For that reason, most healthcare facilities get you to wait a while after the injection before leaving, and you should certainly return straight away if these symptoms develop after you leave. If your family tends to have allergies or if anyone in the family has had a reaction to injections, make sure you tell your doctor before the injection is given.
