Within this section you can find articles with healthcare advice on childhood immunisatons.
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Alternatives
In the UK parents can choose whether to have their children immunised. Children who are not immunised run a risk of catching diseases and having complications.
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BCG Vaccine
This is given when your child is 10 and 14 years. It is sometimes given to babies shortly after they are born. The BCG vaccine gives protection against TB (tuberculosis).
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Common Questions
Immunisation is the safest and most effective way of protecting your child against serious diseases. Your child should have his or her first immunisation when he or she is two months old. Your health visitor, practice nurse or GP will make an appointment with you, or they will send you an appointment inviting you to bring your child for immunisation.
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DTB - HIB Vaccine
This is given when your child is two, three and four months old. The DT part is also given at age three to five years as a booster. The DTP-Hib vaccine protects against three different diseases - diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) and against infection by the bacteria called Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).
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Hepatitis B Vaccine
This protects against hepatitis B. There are several different types of hepatitis and they all cause inflammation of the liver. The hepatitis B virus is passed through infected blood and may also be sexually transmitted.
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Immunisation
Your baby will be offered three sets of immunisations - one set at two, three and four months.
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Meningitis
Meningitis is an inflammation of the lining of the brain, and a baby with meningitis can become seriously ill within a matter of hours.
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Meningitis C Vaccine
Meningitis is an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can develop very rapidly. In young children the earliest symptoms are often hard to recognise, with flu-like illness leading to vomiting, fever, irritability, a high-pitched cry and refusing feeds. Most people recover from the disease, but some are left deaf or blind and it can kill.
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MMR Vaccine
This is given when your child is between 12 and 15 months and then again when your child is three to five years. The MMR vaccine protects your child against measles, mumps and rubella (German measles).
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Polio Vaccine
This is given when your child is two, three and four months. The first booster is given when your child is between three and five years. The second booster is given when your child is between 13 and 18. Polio vaccine protects against the disease poliomyelitis.
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