Childhood Vaccines COVID-19 demonstrates enduring importance of early childhood vaccinations COVID-19 has impacted many aspects of life, including access to some healthcare services. Some people may consider delaying routine healthcare appointments. The early childhood vaccinations that babies get are as important as ever, and are considered an essential healthcare service. Throughout the pandemic, GPs have been advised to continue the recommended vaccinations for babies as a priority. WHY THE ROUTINE CHILDHOOD VACCINATIONS ARE IMPORTANT The significance of early childhood immunisation can be underestimated. We don’t see the effects of vaccine-preventable diseases as often as we did in the past, but the diseases they protect against have not changed. They can still cause life-threatening complications and even death in children who are not protected. As recently as the 1980s, 100 children a year in Ireland suffered from meningitis and other serious complications of Haemophilus Influenza B infection. Measles used to kill thousands of people every year. In the 1940s and 1950s, tens of thousands of children were paralysed or killed by polio. The rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus around the globe has shown us how quickly infectious diseases can spread. As recently as 2018, more than 80,000 cases of measles were reported in Europe with more than 70 deaths. Rates of uptake for immunisations have dropped globally during the pandemic. With increased travel we may experience outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases that are currently rare in Ireland. WHY VACCINATIONS SHOULD BE GIVEN AT THE RECOMMENDED TIME To complete their primary vaccination schedule, babies need 5 GP visits between 2 and 13 months of age. The vaccines and the visits are free of charge, and give babies protection from serious life threatening illnesses such as meningitis, measles, whooping cough, polio, pneumococcal disease and haemophilus influenzae b now and when they are older. The ages at which vaccines are recommended are chosen to give children the earliest and best protection against serious illness now and in the future. If any routine vaccinations are delayed, this puts babies at unnecessary risk at a time they are most vulnerable. For example, babies younger than 6 months are at the highest risk for serious complications from whooping cough; that’s why vaccination against whooping cough starts at 2 months of age. Several doses of some vaccines are required to build up lasting immunity. This is why it is important that babies attend all of their appointments or they will only be partially protected and could still pick up the disease. WHAT IF MY CHILD HAS MISSED VACCINATION APPOINTMENTS? If vaccinations have been missed or delayed it is important an appointment is made with their GP as soon as possible to catch up. Missed or incomplete vaccinations in childhood means children
Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule Babies born on or after 1 October 2016 Age
Vaccination
2
Visit 1
6 in 1+PCV+MenB+Rotavirus 3 Injections+Oral Drops
4
Visit 2
6 in 1+MenB+Rotavirus 2 Injections+Oral Drops
6
Visit 3
6 in 1+PCV+MenC 3 Injections
months
months
months
No Rotavirus vaccine on or after 8 months 0 days
12
Visit 4
MMR+MenB 2 Injections
13
Visit 5
Hib/MenC+PCV 2 Injections
months
months
Remember to give your baby 3 doses of liquid infant paracetamol after the 2 and 4 month MenB vaccines. 1. Give 2.5 mls (60 mg) of liquid infant paracetamol at the time of the immunisation or shortly after. 2. Give a second dose of 2.5 mls (60 mg) 4 to 6 hours after the first dose. 3. Give a third dose of 2.5 mls (60 mg) 4 to 6 hours after the second dose.
Remember five visits to your GP (doctor) www.immunisation.ie
are not protected when they are older. Some infections are more serious in teenagers or adults than in children. For example, mumps in teenage boys or young men may cause swelling of the testicles and if a woman contracts rubella in the early stages of pregnancy this can cause major birth defects in their baby. WHERE CAN I FOUND OUT MORE INFORMATION? For more information, read ‘Your Child’s Immunisation: A Guide for Parents’ published by the HSE National Immunisation Office. https://bit.ly/PCIPBook You can also make an appointment to discuss vaccinations with your GP or practice nurse, or visit the HSE website www.immunisation.ie.
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