In the past, diseases such as smallpox and polio spread in communities and caused paralysis and death.
Thanks to the development of vaccines, smallpox has been eradicated and other diseases, such as polio and measles, have nearly been eliminated.
Your child should be vaccinated at:
* Birth. When your child is born he will receive the vaccination for polio, and Bacilles Calmette Guerin vaccine for tuberculosis.
*Six weeks. At this age your child will be vaccinated against polio, diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, hepatitis B and will receive the pneumococcal conjugated vaccine.
* At 10 weeks your baby will receive diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis and hepatitis B vaccines.
* At 14 weeks your child will be vaccinated against the rotavirus, diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, hepatitis B and will receive the pneumococcal conjugated vaccine.
* Nine months. At this age your child will receive the measles and pneumococcal conjugated vaccines.
* At 18 months your toddler will receive the diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis and second measles vaccines.
* At the ages of six and 12 your child will be vaccinated against tetanus and receive a reduced strength of the diphtheria.
Children can be vaccinated at local clinics and community health care centres.
* Information courtesy of the Department of Health.
