Immunisation

When a baby is in the womb they are protected against disease as its gets natural immunity from its mother. However once a baby is born they are vulnerable to infections. To protect a baby from the most serious diseases then they are immunised. This also helps prevent serious illnesses being spread throughout the community.

Swimming and JABS!

According to the NHS (21/01/08) babies can be taken swimming at any age. It does not matter if they have not completed their course of immunisations. Some parents are being told that their babies shouldn't go swimming until they have had all their jabs, but this is in fact incorrect information. This advice dates back to when polio was common, and people were concerned that it would spread in busy pools. Polio is no longer a live jab.
 
After any injection the baby/child may have inflammation and tenderness at the site of the injection and may be feverish and irritable. It would be unfair to the baby/ child to take them swimming immediately after their jabs and little would be gained from doing so.

The immunisations that a baby/child will need and the age that they will need them are listed below.

BCG.

Given just after birth in some areas. It protects against Turberculosis. This attacks the lungs but can spread through the body. Cases have been increasing in this country, so some areas vaccinate child at birth while still in hospital.

DtaP / IPV / Hib & PCV.

This is 2 injections that are given at 2 months. They protect the baby from Diptheria, Tentaus, Pertussis (a severe whooping cough), Polio, Hib (meningitis) and Pneumococcal bacterium (which can cause pneumonia, septicaemia and meningitis.).

DtaP / IVP / Hib & Men C.

Given at 3 months by two injections. They protect as above but also against Meningitis C. This is one of the serious causes of meningitis and serious blood infections in children. Although uncommon now, prior to the introduction of the vaccine it was the most common killer in the 1-5 age group.

DtaP / IVP / Hib/ PCV & Men C.

Given at 4 months. They protect as above. The repetition of the vaccines is necessary to build immunity.

Hib & Men C.

This is given at 12 months. It maintains protection through early childhood and prevents resurgence of the disease.

MMR & PCV.

Given at 13 months. It protects against Measles. The virus is highly contagious and causes a high fever and a rash. Around 60% of children who get measles are at risk of complications.

For more information, please visit the NHS website www.immunisation.nhs.uk