Immunisations

Question 1

Is it safe for my child?

Answer 1

• Rigorous process before they reach you
• Monitored continuously after release
• Weakened/dead versions of the pathogen
• Safest way to protect child’s health

Question 2

Why does my child need a booster dose?

Answer 2

• Some vaccines cannot provide full protection against virus from one dose alone so they need to be topped up to be fully efficient

Question 3

How do vaccines work?

Answer 3

• Vaccines contain small part of bacterium or virus
• body makes antibodies against them (these can fight infection)
• so if your child contacted it in the future, they would be ready

Question 4

Why do vaccinations start so early?

Answer 4

• babies protected in womb
• once they leave, maternal antibodies break down
• lose immunity
• protects them because their immune systems are underdeveloped

Question 5

I’m worried about side effects.

Answer 5

• can be side effects like redness, irritableness, temperature or mild diarrhoea
• will pass quickly
• give paracetamol to keep fever down, keep them cool and give them plenty of fluids

Question 6

Why is MMR not given before 1 years old?

Answer 6

• acquired measles antibodies from mother

- if given too early, the antibodies may neutralise the vaccine so it would be pointless

Question 7

What is herd immunity?

Answer 7

• some people are unable to get their vaccinations
• reliant on other people to get their vaccinations
• this indirectly protects them because less people in the population will get poorly and/or pass it on
• eventually can eradicate disease

Question 8

Why are intervals needed between doses?

Answer 8

• response to vaccine can take several days and up to four weeks to be completed, so after four weeks the next one can be given

Question 9

Can my child have several doses at once?

Answer 9

• yes
• no known harmful effects from this
• protecting asap is important to protect children who are vulnerable to infections

Question 10

Can I still vaccinate my child if they are feeling unwell?

Answer 10

• yes if minor illness
• should re schedule if they already have a fever
• do not want to worsen fever