Immunization

Immunization is an important means of protecting your child/baby from certain “life-threatening” illnesses. Great thank to vaccine programs, many of these threats have been more or less eradicated.

Lets step back and try to understand immunization!

All baby vaccines or immunizations available are there to protect your baby against serious and unpleasant diseases. A vaccine stimulates the immune system in making antibodies (proteins that can fight infection). A vaccine is a virus or bacterium, altered so that it can’t cause illness but instead trigger antibodies which protect your baby if she/he comes into contact with the disease.

Q: OK, but what side effects do vaccines or immunizations have?
A: First of all, the needle causes the initial pain, and seeing that babies aren’t aware of this or understand what is happening, will often leave them crying. You can breastfeed or use a dummy to comfort her/him. Soreness and slight redness are common at the injection site. A Small lump can form, but this is harmless and usually painless and resolves on its own. It is also normal for a baby to be a bit unhappy for a few hours or even a few days after the injection and your baby might get a slight fever. Tender loving care will make a big difference to how your baby feels afterwards. You might give a small dose of paracetamol syrup for the pain or fever, BUT FOLLOW YOUR DOCTOR’S INSTRUCTIONS!!

Routine vaccinations/immunizations

Your baby or child usually need to be immunized against the following infections and viruses!

• Polio- Poliomyelitis this is a virus that causes damage to the nervous system and can result in permanent paralysis or even death.
• Diphtheria – a bacterial disease that starts in the throat and can spread to the heart and nervous system.
• Tetanus – a potentially fatal bacterial infection that can cause paralysis of the muscles.
• Hib (haemophilus influenzae B)- another bacterial infection that can cause a range of illnesses like meningitis and pneumonia.
• Meningitis C – Caused by many bacteria’s and viruses. Meningitis mean the inflammation of the meninges, the membranes that protects the brain.
• Whooping cough (pertussis) – a bacterial disease that sometimes go hand in hand with a fever and often with violent coughing spasms, which can result in vomiting, seizures and even lung damage.
• Measles – a virus that can cause meningitis, chest infections, seizures and permanent brain damage.
• Tuberculosis – TB like everyone knows it. A bacterial infection that affects mainly the lungs. If you live in a high risk area where TB is common, your baby will be offered this immunization at birth or a little later.
• Rubella – This a virus that can cause serious birth defects in unborn babies, although for the majority of children rubella is not serious, this can also result in join pains and inflammation of the brain (encephalitis)
• Mumps – Can result in meningitis or even deafness. This is a virus that causes painful swelling of the salivary glands.

When to delay immunization/vaccines

• If you have any concerns about immunization, consult your doctor or health adviser
• A mild cold need not deter you from immunizing your baby.
• If your baby has a feverish illness, delay the immunization until they are better.
• Speak to your doctor or health adviser, if your baby has had a serious reaction to any of the vaccines, it still maybe safe to have the vaccine, but it might be necessary to take additional precautions.

Quote for baby vaccinations or baby immunizations

Protect your child –
Although taking your baby for their vaccines can be upsetting for you as a parent, there is a lot you can do for them afterwards to comfort them, and you should be assured that you are doing the best to protect their health for the years to come.

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