Immunisations
Immunisations are not compulsary in the UK, and I feel that parents should have acces to as many facts as possible before making a decision whether to immunise their child or not. I am actually pro-immunisation, but had to do a fair bit of soul searching before I decided to go ahead, in particular with the MMR. I hope this page will provide you with some information about the PROs and CONs so that you can make you own judgement. It may also help you prepare for possible reactions. I also hope it will REASSURE you if you decide to go ahead - my children have been given all their jabs and suffered no side effects at all - and I am pleased to know they are now safe from the diseases they have been immunised against. I hope it will help you to an INFORMED decision about immunising your child.
PLEASE NOTE THE INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE IS MY OPINION. ALTHOUGH I HAVE MADE EVERY EFFORT TO ENSURE IT IS AS ACCURATE AS POSSIBLE, IT IS NOT INTENDED TO REPLACE MEDICAL ADVISE ABOUT IMMUNISATIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS.
Table of Immunisations given in the UK
Name |
Diseases involved |
Age of Immunisation |
Method |
Possible side effects |
| DTP | Diptheria, Tetanus , Pertussis (Whooping cough) | 8weeks, 12weeks, 16weeks: Boosters of the DT elements at about 4 & 14 | By single injection into thigh or arm | You child may feel off colour for a day or two after the jab. This may include a fever and/or vomiting. At the site of the injection a small red lump may appear which can last for several weeks. Very occasionally a more serious reaction can cause a fit. Generally the reactions to subsequent vaccinations get less severe. |
| Polio | Polio | 8weeks, 12weeks, 16weeks | Drops given in the mouth | Generally no reaction, but this is a "live" vaccine of weakened virus and can occasionally cause polio. The virus is passed through the body and will be pressent in your childs nappy for upto 6 weeks, so you must be extra vidgulent with hygiene. Unvaccinated people should avoid changing nappies. |
| HIB | Haemophilus Influenzae type B | 8weeks, 12weeks, 16weeks | By single injection, given with the Diptheria and Tetanus jab | See DTP, as this is given at the same time. |
| BCG | Tuberculosis (TB) | Before 12 weeks | A liqid placed onto the skin of left arm, which is then "stamped" into the top layer of skin by a series of fine needles. Alternatively a injection under the skin of the left arm using a standard type syringe. | A small blister appears at the injection site a while after the injection, which will heal but leaves a scar. There may be no reaction to the "stamped" form of the vacination. |
| MMR | Measles Mumps Rubella | 12 months and 4 years | A single injection in the thigh or arm | If a reaction is going to occur it is usally about 10 days later - although some children seem to be off colour immediately. The child may feel generally unwell, have a fever and be off their food. Sometimes a measles type rash will appear. Three weeks after the injection swolen salaviary glands, a mump-like symptom, may appear. At no time is your child actually infectious and so can carry on mixing with children, and doesn't need to avoid pregnant women. Some children may become quite ill from the vacination for some weeks. 1 in 1000 may suffer a fit following the vaccination. |
The Diseases
Diptheria:
A highly contagious throat infection which can cause suffocation. The bacteria also produces toxins which can cause damage to the heart and central nervous system. It can be fatal. It would be trated with antebiotics, and an antitoxin, in which case the infection would be cured in about a week but it could be several months before a complete recovery. Back
Tetanus:
A infection to a wound that causes severe muscle spasm. Musles of the jaw, neck, back and abdomen are particularly involved, and because of this tetanus causes difficulty in feeding and breathing. Tetenus can be fatal but with early treatment recovery will usually take about 4 weeks. Back
Whooping Cough:
A bacterial infection of the lungs that produces a distressing cough. Coughing fits can last upto a minute with the face turning red and even blue from lack of oxygen. The "whooping2 sound is the gasp for air after a fit. The coughing fits can be so sever as to cause vomiting and choking. With treatment the disease is usually cured in about 6 weeks. Back
Polio:
A viral infection which causes paralysis to various muscles of the body: when the muscles of the chest are involved the patient may become unable to breathe unaided, however with good nursing the disease is not a killer. It often leaves some muscles permanantly paralysed. Back
HIB infection:
A bacteria which is carried by many people without causing serious disease - however in the very young complications of infection with the virus include chest infections and meningitis. Back
Tuberculosis:
A contagious bacterial infection, primarily of the lungs. Other organs which can be infected include the brain, bones, spine and kidneys. Without treatment the disease causes caughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue and weight loss, and can be fatal. Treatment involves taking drugs to combat the infection for several months. Isolation is not necessary but some activites are restricted for TB sufferers until tests prove negative. Back
Measles:
A serious viral infection of the skin and respiritary tract - the eyes are often affected too. It is highly contagious, and signified by a red rash around the head which speads to the rest of the body, accompanied by fever and flu-like symptoms. There is no cure for measles but most people recover spontaneouly within a couple of weeks. About 1 in 15 people are at risk of complications which can include pneumonia and meningitis, and the disease can be fatal. Back
Mumps:
A mild viral infection which leads to painful swelling of the salivary glands. Other organs which can be affected include the testicles, ovaries, pancreas, breasts and brain. There is no cure for mumps but recovery is usually about 10 days. In adults the disease can lead to infertility. In children it can lead to meningitis. Back
Rubella:
A mild viral infection, with fever aches and stiffness and a red rash which lasts a few days. There is no treatment but recovery is usally about a week. Although mild the disease is contagious, and has very serious implications to the unborn child of a pregnant woman. If contracted in the first few months of pregnancy Rubella can lead to blindness, deafness, serious birth defects or even miscarriage. Back