What is immunisation?

Immunisation is a way of protecting against serious diseases. Once we have been immunised, our bodies are better able to fight those diseases if we come into contact with them.

 

How do vaccines work?

There are some diseases that can kill children or cause lasting damage to their health. Vaccines contain a small part of the bacterium or virus that causes a disease, or tiny amounts of the chemicals that the bacterium produces. Vaccines work by causing the body’s immune system to make antibodies (substances that fight off infection and disease). Then if your child comes into contact with the infection, the antibodies will recognise it and be ready to protect them.

 

When should my baby be immunised?

It is important that your baby has their immunisations at the right age and in the right number of doses to ensure that they are fully protected now and in later life. Vaccines are recommended at certain ages based on studies showing when children are at highest risk for the different diseases and at what age vaccines work best. The first routine vaccines are given at two, three and four months old. Children will be given further doses of these immunisations when they are between 12 and 13 months old, then at around 3 years and 4 months of age (before school) and again from 13 years of age. 

 

Why are babies vaccinated so early?

Some diseases can be particularly serious in young babies so it is important to make sure that they are protected as early as possible.

 

Why does my baby need more than one dose of each vaccine?

Most immunisations have to be given more than once to fully protect your child. Each dose boosts immunity to a good, protective level. For example, three doses of DTaP/IPV/Hib/Hep B (6-in-1) vaccine are needed to provide the best protection. Booster doses before school entry and in the teenage years extend the protection into later life.

 

How will I know when my baby’s immunisations are due?

Childrens Services Services will send you an appointment for your baby’s immunisation. If you can’t make this appointment, contact them to make another one. All routine childhood immunisations are free.

 

What if I missed the appointment?

If you missed or delayed the appointment, make a new one.Your baby can continue the immunisation schedule without having to start again.

 

What happens at the appointment?

The Practice Nurse or health visitor will explain about the immunisations and answer your questions. With babies, the injections is given into the thigh and in children over 12 months old the upper arm is usually used although injections can still being given into thighs if requested or is clinically indicated, the nurse giving the injection will discuss this with you during your appointment. 

 

If some diseases have disappeared from this country, why do we need to immunise against them?

In the UK, these diseases are kept at bay by high immunisation rates. Around the world, more than two million people a year die from infectious diseases that can be prevented by widely used vaccines, with 1.4 million of these being children under five years old. Most of these deaths could be prevented by immunisations. As more people travel abroad and more people come to visit this country, there is a risk that these diseases will come back into the UK. These diseases may spread to people who haven’t been immunised so your baby is at greater risk if they have  not been protected. Immunisation doesn’t just protect your baby - it also helps to protect your family and the whole community especially those who, for medical reasons, can’t be immunised. 

Remember, it’s never too late to have your baby immunised. If your baby has missed an immunisation and is older than the recommended ages, talk to your Practice Nurse, Health Visitor for them to be immunised.

 

 

How do we know that vaccines are safe?

Before they are allowed to be used, all medicines (including vaccines) are thoroughly tested to assess how safe and effective they are. After they have been licensed, the safety of vaccines continues to be monitored. Any rare side effects that are discovered can then be assessed further. All medicines can cause side effects, but vaccines are among the very safest. Research from around the world shows that immunisation is the safest way to protect your baby’s health.

 

I am worried that my baby will be upset by having an injection.

Your baby might cry and be upset for a few minutes, but they will usually settle down after a cuddle.

 

Will my baby have any side effects from the injection?

Some babies will have side effects. They might:

• have redness, swelling or tenderness where they had the injection, (this will slowly disappear on its own);

• be a bit irritable and feel unwell; or

• have a temperature (fever).

 

What is a fever?

A fever is a temperature over 37.5 C. Fevers are quite common in young children, but are usually mild. If your baby’s face feels hot to the touch and they look red or flushed, he or she might have a fever. You could check his or her temperature with a thermometer. If your baby has a raised temperature and appears unwell:

• give them paracetamol or ibuprofen liquid (it is important that you follow the instructions on the bottle);

• give them plenty to drink;

• make sure they are not over dressed or wrapped up in too many layers;

• check that the temperature of the room feels comfortable and not too warm (about 18 - 21oc).

If your child’s temperature stays high or you are worried, contact your Practice Nurse, Health Visitor or GP.

Remember, never give medicines that contain aspirin to children under 16. If you are worried about your baby, trust your instincts. Speak to your GP practice or call 111

Call the practice immediately if, at any time, your baby:

• has a temperature of 39 C or above; or

• has a fit (see below)

If the practice is closed and you can’t contact a doctor any other way, trust your instincts and go to the emergency department of your nearest hospital.

The meningitis B vaccine can sometimes cause a fever and the practice nurse or health visitor will recommend paracetomol in smaller doses to help with this possible effect. There is more information relating to the Meningitis B vaccine and paracetomol in the link at the foot of the page. 

I’m worried that my baby may have allergies. Can he or she have the vaccine?

Yes. Asthma, eczema, hay fever, food intolerances and allergies do not prevent your baby having any vaccine in the routine childhood immunisation programme. If you have any questions speak to your Practice Nurse or Health Visitor or GP.

 

Are some babies allergic to vaccines?

Very rarely, a person can have an allergic reaction soon after immunisation. This reaction may be a rash or itching affecting part or all of the body. Those giving the vaccine will know how to treat this. It does not mean that your baby should stop having immunisations. Even more rarely, individuals can have a severe reaction within a few minutes of the immunisation that causes breathing difficulties and can cause a collapse. This is called an anaphylactic reaction. A recent study has shown that only one anaphylactic reaction occurs in about a million immunisations. Those who give immunisations are trained to deal with anaphylactic reactions and children recover completely with prompt treatment. An anaphylactic reaction is a severe and immediate allergic reaction that needs urgent medical attention.

 

Are there any reasons why my baby should not be immunised?

There are very few reasons why babies cannot be immunised. The vaccines should not be given to babies who have had:

• a confirmed anaphylactic reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine; or

• a confirmed anaphylactic reaction to neomycin, streptomycin, or polymixin B (antibiotics that may be added to vaccines in tiny amounts).

In general, children who are immunosuppressed should not receive live vaccines. Children who are immunosuppressed include those:

• whose immune system does not work properly because they are undergoing treatment for a serious condition such as a transplant or cancer; or

• who have any condition that affects the immune system such as severe primary immunodeficiency (very rare disease) that means a child is more likely to catch infections. If this applies to your baby you must tell the person giving the vaccine before the immunisation. They will need to get specialist advice about using live vaccines such as the MMR (and BCG for those who need it). There are no other reasons why vaccines shoulddefinitely not be given.

If your baby:

• has a bleeding disorder (for example haemophilia where the blood doesn’t clot properly) or

• has had a fit not associated with fever,

speak to the person giving the vaccine before your baby has any immunisation.

 

What if my baby is ill on the day of the appointment?

If your baby has a minor illness without a fever - such as a cold - the immunisations should be given as normal. If your baby is ill with a fever, put off the immunisation until he or she has recovered. This is to avoid the fever being associated with the vaccine, or the vaccine increasing the fever they already have. 

 

What are fits?

Fits are also called seizures or convulsions in which a child starts shaking or becomes rigid (stiff) and may become unconscious. Some are associated with fever and some are not. Seizures associated with fever (may be called a febrile seizure or febrile convulsion) are rare in the first six months of life and are most common in the second year of life. After this age, they become less frequent and are rare after the age of five years. Most children who have febrile seizures recover fully. When a baby has a seizure within a short time after immunisation, it might not have been caused by the vaccine or the fever. It could be due to an underlying medical condition. If your baby has a fit after an immunisation, contact your GP. You may be referred to a specialist for advice about further investigations and future immunisations. If the practice is closed or if you can’t contact them go straight to the emergency department of your nearest hospital.

 

My baby was born early. When should premature babies have their first immunisation?

Premature babies may be at greater risk of infection. They should be immunised in line with the recommended schedule from two months after birth, no matter how premature they were.

 

Can my child get the disease from the vaccine?

No, this isn’t possible. In the inactivated (killed) vaccines a dead virus or bacteria - or part of a virus or bacteria - is present and this can’t cause disease. With live vaccines (such as MMR and BCG), some children get what appears to be a mild case of disease. For example, they might get what looks like a measles rash, but this isn’t harmful and can actually show that the vaccine is working.

 

Does my baby have to be immunised?

In the UK, parents decide whether or not to have their baby immunised. Vaccination is recommended because it gives your baby protection against serious diseases, most of which can kill. Around the world, many children are now routinely protected with vaccines. Because of this, some of the world’s most serious diseases may soon disappear.

 

How long do I have to wait before I can take my baby swimming?

You can take your baby swimming at any time before and after their immunisation.

 

Are there other ways to immunise my baby?

There is no other proven, effective way to immunise your baby. The Faculty of Homeopathy (the registered organisation for doctors qualified in homeopathy) follows the UK Health Departments’ guidelines and advises parents to have their children immunised with standard vaccines, unless there are medical contraindications. For more information, visit www.trusthomeopathy.org. 

 

Why is the immunisation programme changed from time to time?

Immunisation programmes are regularly reviewed to make sure that all children are offered protection against preventable diseases. As new vaccines become available, or research shows that giving existing vaccines at different times improves protection, the programme will be changed. Recent changes to the UK programme have been:

• replacing the pneumococcal vaccine (PCV) that provided protection against seven strains of pneumococcal bacteria with PCV13 that protects against an additional six strains;

and

• combining the vaccinations previously given in two sessions at 12 and 13 months of age into one session between 12 and 13 months of age.

 

Information about the individual vaccines along with the most recent vacccination schedule can be found in the links below: 

• The Green Book - Vaccination Information
• The Complete Vaccine Schedule 2022
• Meningitis B vaccine and Paracetamol