CHILDHOOD IMMUNISATIONS

The Importance of Immunisations

At Shifa Surgery Ltd, we provide childhood immunisations each week. Vaccination is the most important thing we can do to protect ourselves and our children against ill health. They prevent millions of deaths worldwide every year. Since vaccines were introduced in the UK, diseases like smallpox, polio and tetanus that used to kill or disable millions of people are either gone or are now very rarely seen. Measles and Mumps are starting to appear again in England, even though the MMR vaccine is the best protection against both diseases. This is serious as measles can lead to life-threatening complications like meningitis, and mumps can cause hearing loss.

We also offer 8 week baby checks with the Doctor and also offer post-natal check ups for all new mothers.

Vaccine

Immunisation from birth

  • BCG (Tuberculosis)
injection

Immunisation at 8 Weeks

Vaccine

Immunisation at 12 Weeks

injection

Immunisation at 16 Weeks

Vaccine

Immunisation at 1 Year

Vaccine

Immunisation at 3 Year & 4 Months

School Age Normally given at school

Vaccine

Immunisation at 12 to 13 Years

Vaccine

Immunisation at 14 Years

  • 3-in-1 Teenage Booster: Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio
  • MenACWY – Meningitis strains A, C, W, Y.

  • This schedule provides vital protection during childhood.

    Please consult your healthcare provider for any updates or specific queries.

    Why Childhood Immunisations Are Important

    Vaccinating children is crucial for their health and the wider community.

    Immunisations:

    1. Protect Your Child: Vaccines protect against serious, potentially life-threatening diseases like measles, meningitis, and polio, helping children build immunity without suffering from the illness.
    2. Community Protection: When most children are vaccinated, it reduces the spread of diseases, safeguarding those who can't be vaccinated, like newborns or individuals with certain medical conditions (herd immunity).
    3. Prevent Outbreaks: Immunisation prevents the resurgence of diseases that were once common but are now rare due to vaccines.
    4. Safe and Effective: Vaccines are thoroughly tested to ensure they are safe for children, with strict regulations in place.
    5. Lifelong Health Benefits: Childhood immunisations not only protect children in the early years but also reduce the risk of complications and chronic conditions later in life.

    By following the UK Childhood Immunisation Schedule, parents can help keep their children, families, and communities safe from preventable diseases.

If you choose not to vaccinate your child, understand the risks and responsibilities

If you choose not to vaccinate your child, understand the risks and responsibilities
measles
NOT PROTECTED
think

Measles Outbreak

The number of people catching measles is on the rise. This is because not enough people have been vaccinated against the disease. Measles is easy to catch and easy to spread especially in nurseries and schools. Some people get very sick from measles and can develop pneumonia and meningitis. One in five people with measles will go to hospital and in very rare cases people can die from the disease. Measles is not just a childhood disease and can be serious at any age. It can make adults very ill and may cause problems for those who are pregnant and people who have weakened immune systems (who can’t fight infection well).

Measles Symptoms:

  • a high temperature
  • a runny or blocked nose
  • sneezing
  • a cough
  • a fever
  • small red spots with bluish – white centres inside the mouth
  • a rash that appears a few days after the cold-like symptoms, usually on the face and neck

People with measles should stay off nursery, school or work until four days after the rash first appears. If you think you or your child may have measles, stay at home and phone your GP or NHS 111 for advice. It’s very important that you stay away from GP practices, A&E departments and other health care venues so you don’t pass measles on to others.

To get the best protection you need to have two doses of MMR vaccine. Those who haven’t had both doses will be more at risk.

Remember it’s never too late to catch up on missed doses. If you don’t know how many doses your child has had, it’s better to have two doses of MMR vaccine now rather than risk leaving them unprotected.

Please click this image for futher information on Measles and the outbreak.