Keeping up with your baby’s immunisations
Immunisation is essential for protecting young children from serious illnesses like tuberculosis, polio, hepatitis and measles. It’s important for parents to keep up with the necessary vaccinations and make sure your baby is protected against these significant health concerns.
Even after your child turns one year old, it's important to continue taking them to the clinic at 18 months for two more shots, including the second dose of the measles vaccine. Additionally, since 2014, girls who turn nine years old also receive a vaccination against cervical cancer as part of the school health program.
How do immunisations work?
Immunisation helps strengthen your child's immune system to fight off diseases like polio, measles, hepatitis B, diphtheria, tuberculosis (TB) and meningitis. These vaccinations are provided free of charge at government clinics, with the first vaccines given right after birth.
The goal of any vaccine is to stimulate the immune system to produce a protective response against a specific pathogen without causing the disease itself.
After receiving a vaccination, your baby might cry for a little while, but usually, some comfort or feeding will soothe them. Most babies won't have any other reactions. Sometimes, there may be some swelling, redness, or a small lump at the injection site, which can be sore to touch. However, this typically only lasts a couple of days and doesn't require any special treatment.
Fever is another possible reaction, with a temperature over 38°C.
Remember, fevers are common in young children and usually mild. If your child feels hot to the touch and looks red or flushed, they may have a fever. You can check their temperature with a thermometer. Most vaccines cause only mild side-effects such as a sore arm, low-grade fever or irritability.
Good to know
- For babies who miss scheduled vaccinations, catch-up immunisations are often available to ensure they receive the necessary protection against preventable diseases.
- The immunisation schedule in South Africa typically follows the guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and may vary slightly based on specific regional needs and disease prevalence. The schedule usually includes vaccines for diseases such as tuberculosis, polio, measles, hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), rotavirus, pneumococcal disease and human papillomavirus (HPV).
- Although rare, some babies may experience a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis shortly after receiving a vaccine. Symptoms of anaphylaxis may include difficulty breathing, wheezing, swelling of the face or throat, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, and loss of consciousness. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency and requires immediate medical help with epinephrine (adrenaline) and other medical interventions. So, make sure you get your baby to a doctor as soon as possible.
- Contact Netclinic for more information on your baby’s immunisation schedules. www.netclinic.co.za
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. Always check with your doctor or medical practitioner about any health concerns, before embarking on any fitness or nutrition programme, or using any medication.