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.
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.
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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.