What immunisations does my baby need?

You may not like seeing your baby being given her vaccinations, but immunisation remains a key step in protecting your child against a range of potentially fatal diseases, and has unquestionably saved the lives of millions of children.

The use of vaccines to strengthen immunity is the reason why smallpox has been eliminated from the world and why polio is almost unheard of in Britain today.

Your baby may experience a few moments of discomfort, might cry, and will probably give you reproachful looks, but she will thank you in the long run for safeguarding her health.

How do immunisations work?

Each immunisation contains minute portions of disease-causing viruses or bacteria. The child’s immune system reacts towards the vaccine, creating antibodies that protect the body if it comes into contact with that infection. Immunisations work against a wide variety of diseases.

• Common baby illnesses

When does my baby receive the immunisations?

The routine schedule of vaccinations starts when your baby is two months old, and is normally completed by the time she is 18 years old. The immunisations are broken down into four phases:

Two – 12 months

• The process starts at two months with the first of five polio vaccinations combined with DTP-Hib (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, and haemophilus influenza B). This is repeated at 3 and 4 months.
• At two and four months your baby is vaccinated against pneumococcal infection.
• She is vaccinated against Meningitis C at three, four and 12 months (when it is combined with her fourth HIB vaccination in a single injection).

13 months

• Your baby’s next injection is the MMR (a combined injection against measles, mumps and rubella). The Medical Research Council recently concluded a study of 5 000 children finding no evidence of autism associated with this triple vaccine. The findings countered the discredited claims made in the late 1990s.
• A second pneumococcal vaccine is also given at about 13 months.
• Babies

Three - Five years

• A second, pre-school MMR injection is given, along with a combined diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio vaccination injection.

13 - 18 years

• Her final vaccination is a combined injection against diphtheria, tetanus and polio 

BCG (tuberculosis) vaccine

• The BCG vaccine to prevent tuberculosis (TB) is no longer routinely given. It is only recommended for infants and children at high risk of the disease.

Are there any side effects?

Vaccines are generally safe and effective, and serious side effects such as an extreme allergic reaction, are highly unlikely. However, don’t be surprised if your baby develops a mild rash, fever or swelling around the site of the injection.

The immunisation record

• Your GP should keep a record of all the immunisations your child receives. However, as people move, files get lost and mistakes do get made, you are advised to keep your own record. This can also be useful if you travel abroad and need proof of protection against infectious diseases.
• Soon after your baby is born, the midwife or health visitor should give you a little red book (Personal Child Health Record), which details information on the immunisations and health checks your child will need and has had. You should record each and every immunisation in this red book for complete accuracy throughout your child's life (they may need it themselves later, for example, when applying for a job).

Natural immunity

When babies arrive in the world, they already have a certain level of immunity to diseases. This is strengthened through breastfeeding, because breast milk is full of antibodies – particularly the breast milk that arrives shortly after birth. This is one of the reasons why the first MMR is only given after one year – by which stage this natural immunity is wearing off.

For further help and advice

Your health visitor, practice nurse or family doctor can give further advice and a range of leaflets are still available from clinics and surgeries to help for the future.

Author

Gavin Evans is a father of two daughters - aged 17 and 13 - and lives in North London. 15 years ago he changed gear from being a full-time reporter to full-time parent and part-time journalist. His writing on issues affecting fathers has been published in a wide range of publications including The Guardian, The Independent, Men's Health, Cosmopolitan, The Times and The New Statesman. He has written five books on sport, a chapter on men in Your Pregnancy Bible and is completing his first screenplay. Gavin also regularly posts blogs at www.gavinevans.net.