Baby.mobi
Immunisation is one of the greatest medical achievements in human history, and has saved MILLIONS of lives. Since the introduction of vaccines, rates of diseases such as polio, measles, hepatitis B, rubella, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) and meningitis caused by the haemophilus influenzae type B (HB) virus have declined by 90%. Vaccines are available FREE OF CHARGE at local clinics and community healthcare centres across the country.
Vaccination not only protects the individual against the disease, but curbs the spread of disease within the community. If immunisation numbers for a condition like measles drop, outbreaks of the disease may occur.
A recent study showed that children who did not receive the measles vaccine were 35 times more likely to get the disease. There are no effective alternatives to immunisation to protect against many serious and deadly infectious diseases.
There has been much said about the safety or side-effects of immunisation/vaccination. IMMUNISATION IS SAFE and getting safer and more effective all the time. Bear in mind, though, that NO drug is totally side-effect free and vaccines may also have side effects.
All vaccines used in the immunisation/vaccination programme in South Africa are manufactured to the highest international World Health Organisation (WHO) standards, and according to strict safety guidelines. The South African Medicines Control Council monitors manufacture to ensure efficacy, quality and safety before registration.
All newborn babies and children up to the age of 12 MUST be immunised. A detailed record of immunisation may be requested for each of your children when you apply for school registration or social grants.
THE IMMUNISATION PROGRAMME
Go to your local clinic. Fill in a form/card on your first visit. On repeat visits, bring your card with to be filled in. The nursing sister will fill in your child’s age, history of immunisation, weight, length and head circumference to determine if your child is growing at the expected rate.
You will need to advise the nursing sister if your child is allergic to eggs. You will be advised on how to handle your child’s reaction to the vaccine – they sometimes develop a fever – and will be given the date for the next immunisation.
DISEASES AGAINST WHICH VACCINES ARE GIVEN
Polio: is caused by germs that attack the nerves and cause weakness/paralysis of the leg and/or arm. If severe, it may involve respiratory muscles
Measles: causes high fever and a rash. It can lead to diarrhoea and dehydration, deafness, eye complications (including blindness), pneumonia, brain damage and even death
Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (HIB): is a serious illness affecting mainly children under the age of five. Death from the HIB disease is common in children under the age of one
Hepatitis B: is an infection of the liver and can cause liver damage, liver cancer and death
Pertussis (whooping cough): starts with a headache, fever and a cough. Severe coughing can cause difficulties in breathing, eating and drinking
Tetanus (lock jaw): occurs when a toxin from the tetanus germ enters the body from a cut or wound. It causes muscle spasms, breathing and heart problems and the chances of a child dying from tetanus are very high
Diphtheria: is a dangerous bacterial disease that interferes with a child’s breathing. Children who survive diphtheria suffer permanent damage including blindness, deafness and brain damage
Tuberculosis (TB) Meningitis: is a very serious disease that affects people of all ages. Symptoms include continuous coughing for a long time, chest pain, sweating at night, weight loss and death if left untreated. In children, it can infect the brain and cause meningitis, or it can enter the bloodstream and infect other parts of the body. The most effective protection against TB meningitis in babies and children is the BCG vaccine
Rotavirus: is one of the viruses that causes diarrhoea
Pneumococcal disease: causes meningitis, otitis media (ear infections), pneumonia and bacteraemia
Your clinic will advise you when you need to bring your child for immunisation.
