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Childhood Immunisation

What are immunisations?

Immunisation (vaccination) is a method of producing resistance in the body to specific diseases. This is done using microorganisms - bacteria and viruses, or traces of the poisons that they produce – that have been killed or modified so that they are no longer a danger.

Immunisation prepares our bodies to fight against specific diseases should we come in contact with them in the future.

Childhood vaccination programmes give long lasting immunity. Following immunisation, the body's immune system will recognise and respond more quickly if any of these organisms enter the body. For example, immunisation against polio stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies against polio.

If your child ever comes into contact with polio, the polio antibodies will recognise the disease and be ready to fight it.

No vaccine works all the time but most childhood immunisations are more than 90 percent effective once the series has been completed. The chances of success increase with each dose in the series - in fact, a child exposed to a live polio virus after receiving the polio vaccination would run less than 1 percent risk of contracting the disease.
 
Some immunisations have to be given more than once to build up immunity (protection) or keep the level of antibodies topped up. This 'top up' is called a booster.

Modern vaccines are generally considered safe and effective but associated risks can vary from insignificant (e.g. fever and soreness at the injection site) to more serious but rarer side effects (e.g. allergic reaction, encephalitis). The aim of vaccine development is to balance a high degree of protection with the lowest possible risk of side effects.


Why does my child need to be immunised?

Immunisations or vaccines have been developed to protect people against contagious diseases, such as polio, measles, mumps, rubella and whopping cough. These diseases can cause serious illness and even death. As a result of the success of Ireland's immunisation programmes, many of these diseases are now rare in this country.

In other countries where immunisation is not so widely available, polio, whooping cough, measles etc are still common. If your child is not immunised, he or she is still at risk.

Immunisation doesn't just protect your child and your family, it protects the whole community, especially those children who can't be immunised. That is why it is so important for as many children as possible to be immunised. To be truly effective, 95 percent of children need to be immunised against a particular disease.

In Ireland the overall uptake of the MMR vaccination is only about 70 percent, which is too low. As a result the number of reported cases of measles in this country has risen significantly.

 

When should my child be immunised?

Babies are born with some natural immunity, which they get from their mother and through breastfeeding. This gradually wears off as the baby's own immune system starts to develop. Having your child immunised gives him/her extra protection against potentially fatal illnesses.

Your child should have their first vaccine a few days after birth (usually given in the Maternity Hospital) and start a series of immunisations when he or she is two-months-old. Your health visitor, practice nurse or GP will schedule these with you, or they will send you an appointment inviting you to bring your child for immunisation.

Many surgeries and health centres run special immunisation or baby clinics and there is often a 'drop-in' facility at other times for parents who can't get to the clinic during the day.

All immunisations, except polio, are given with a small needle into the upper arm, thigh or buttock. Children may cry and be upset for a few minutes, but they usually settle down after a cuddle. If you don't want to be in the room when your child has the injection, tell the nurse or doctor beforehand.
The vaccine scheduler shows at what age your child will need to receive each vaccination

Reasons for not immunising

There are very few reasons why a child should not be immunised. However, you must let the doctor or nurse know if your child:
  • has a high fever;
  • has had a bad reaction to another immunisation;
  • has had, or is having, treatment for cancer;
  • has a bleeding disorder;
  • has had a severe reaction after eating eggs;
  • has had convulsions (fits) in the past. (With the right advice, children who have had fits in the past can be immunised.)
You should also let the doctor or nurse know if your child or any other close family member:
  • has any illness which affects the immune system, for example, HIV or AIDS;
  • is taking any medicine which affects the immune system, for example, immunosuppressants (e.g. given after organ transplant or for malignant disease) or high-dose steroids.

What about side effects?

Before any vaccine can be used it has to go through many tests. Research from all over the world shows that vaccines are the safest way of protecting your child's health. Each vaccine is continually checked after it has been introduced and action is taken if it is needed.

A few children suffer side effects, most commonly soreness and swelling at the injection site or fever. These symptoms can be treated with paracetamol.

Some children may be unwell and irritable and develop a temperature. Very rarely, children can have allergic reactions straight after immunisation. If the child is treated quickly, he or she will recover fully. People giving immunisations are trained to deal with allergic reactions.

To treat a fever:

  • Keep your child cool by gently sponging him or her with lukewarm (not cold) water. Let the water dry on the skin.
  • Make sure your child does not have too many layers of clothes or blankets on.
  • Give your child extra drinks.
  • Give your child paracetamol liquid, such as Calpol. Read the instructions on the bottle carefully and give the dose according to your child's age. It may be necessary to give your child a second dose 4 to 6 hours later. If their temperature persists ask your doctor for advice. Do not give aspirin to children under 12 years of age.
Contact your doctor immediately if your child has a temperature of 39° C or above, has a fit, collapses or appears limp, listless or in shock. If you are unable to get in contact with the doctor, go to your nearest hospital accident and emergency department.

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