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Babies and children are immunised to protect them from serious childhood diseases. The vaccines given stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies against the disease.

 

The department of health recommends the following schedule for infant immunisation and it is important to follow this programme as closely as possible.

 

Although there are very few reasons for not giving immunisations, sometimes babies in hospital are not well enough to receive their immunisations on time, but they should be given as soon as the medical team feel the baby is well enough and the schedule followed as much as possible from then.

 

 

Vaccine schedule from 4 September 2006

 

Age	Vaccine	Amount to be administered
2 months of age	Pediacel® vaccine (Combined diphtheria (D), tetanus (T), acellular pertussis (aP), inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) and haemophilus B (Hib)	One 0.5ml dose to be administered by IM injection
	Pneumococcal vaccine (Prevenar®)	One 0.5ml dose to be administered by deep IM injection
3 months of age	Pediacel® vaccine (Combined diphtheria (D), tetanus (T), acellular pertussis (aP), inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) and haemophilus B (Hib)	One 0.5ml dose to be administered by IM injection
	Meningococcal C (Neisvac C or Meningitec)	One 0.5ml dose to be administered by deep IM injection
4 months of age	Pediacel® vaccine (Combined diphtheria (D), tetanus (T), acellular pertussis (aP), inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) and haemophilus B (Hib)	One 0.5ml dose to be administered by IM injection
	Pneumococcal vaccine (Prevenar®)	One 0.5ml dose to be administered by deep IM injection
	Meningococcal C (Neisvac C or Meningitec)	One 0.5ml dose to be administered by deep IM injection

 

 

The immunisations are given according to the baby's actual age by an injection into the thigh. Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (Whooping Cough), Haemophilus Influenza and Polio are given as a single combined injection and Meningococcal C and Pneumococcal are single injections.

 

When your baby is due to receive the first set of immunisations, a doctor or nurse will discuss the programme and possible side effects with you. You will be able to discuss any issues at this time and ask any questions you may have. You will also be given an information booklet to read. Once you fully understand why your baby requires the immunisations, you will be asked to sign a consent form for the procedure.

 

Some babies develop redness or swelling at the site of injection and this should disappear within a few days. Some babies develop a temperature or irritability for a few hours after the immunisations and can be given paracetamol to relieve this.

 

The child health department, your GP and Health Visitor will be informed that your baby has received the first set of immunisations so they can continue the course as scheduled.