Childhood immunisations (Medical students)
National Immunization Schedule
Can you identify the diseases/complications shown in the picture below, all of which are preventable by vaccines? (answers below).
Given free of charge. DTP and Rubella (in girls) are mandatory.
Infancy (2 to 4 months)
- Six-in-one (combination vaccine) (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, HiB, Hep B).
- Pneumococcal (PCV, pneumococcal conjugate vaccine).
- Meningococcal (B and ACWY)
- MMR 1 (measles, mumps, rubella)
- Boosters of the primary vaccines
- MMR 2
12 years:
Available in the private sector only.
- Rotavirus
- Hepatitis A
- Varicella
Common side effects – fever, the baby may be unsettled and sleepy, and local redness, swelling, and tenderness. These symptoms last for 24 hours. The MMR vaccine may give fever and a rash between 7 to 10 days.
Rare, serious side effects – febrile convulsions; anaphylaxis (adrenaline should be available when giving vaccines); intussusception (after oral rotavirus vaccination).
Paracetamol may be given to control pain and fever (may be administered as a suppository or liquid).
Rare, serious side effects – febrile convulsions; anaphylaxis (adrenaline should be available when giving vaccines); intussusception (after oral rotavirus vaccination).
Paracetamol may be given to control pain and fever (may be administered as a suppository or liquid).
Parents should seek medical advice if they are worried that the reaction following the immunization is unexpected, severe, or persistent.
MMR and Varicella are live vaccines. They can be given safely if the child has egg allergy. It can be given on the same day or after an interval of at least 4 weeks.
MMR and Varicella are live vaccines. They can be given safely if the child has egg allergy. It can be given on the same day or after an interval of at least 4 weeks.
Can you identify the diseases/complications shown in the picture below, all of which are preventable by vaccines? (answers below).
Answers
- Top: Diphtheria, tetanus, polio, pertussis.
- Middle: Hib epiglottitis (Haemophilus influenzae is also a cause of meningitis), mumps, measles (SSPE), congenital cataract in congenital rubella syndrome.
- Bottom: Pneumococcal lobar pneumonia (Strep pneumoniae is also a cause of meningitis and otitis media), chickenpox (varicella), meningococcal septicaemia (Neisseria meningitidis is also a cause of meningitis), rotavirus GE.