Immunisations highlighted

From the time your child is born they can start receiving vaccinations. They will receive these until they are 12 years old.
Here’s what you need to know about some childhood diseases:

Measles
Measles is a viral illness that is spread through coughs and sneezes and the rash appears two to four days after one has caught the illness.
The rash starts with the face and head and spreads down the body. If the virus moves to the lungs it may cause pneumonia.
A measles diagnosis usually made based on the symptoms, including the distinctive rash, a blood or saliva test can be performed to confirm the diagnosis.
Children are normally vaccinated against the virus at nine months and then again at 18 months old.
There’s no one type of treatment for measles; doctors just recommend making them feel more comfortable.

Polio
The polio vaccine is one of the first your child will receive at birth. The virus that causes polio can damage your nerve cells and possibly cause paralysis or even death. A worldwide vaccination programme has almost eliminated the disease.
Those who have been exposed to the virus only experience flu-like symptoms, such as a sore throat, headache and high temperature.

Mumps
Mumps is a highly contagious infection that can be spread through coughs and sneezes as well as surfaces.
Symptoms include swollen salivary glands in the neck, pain and discomfort from the swelling, fever, headache, feeling sick, dry mouth and joint aches. The swelling can be on one or both sides of the neck. Mumps can be diagnosed through a blood, urine or spinal fluid test.
Children will normally receive their vaccination against mumps at the ages of 18 months and six years.

Whooping cough
This virus earned its named by the “whoop” sound the patient makes when trying to take a breath after a coughing fit.
Whooping cough normally starts with cold symptoms but then leads to severe coughing fits, which can last for weeks or months.
Due to the severity of the disease, children receive four vaccinations against it. They are vaccinated at six weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks and 18 months.

Diphtheria
During their childhood, children will receive six vaccinations against this disease. Treatment for diphtheria is antibiotics.
Doctors may start treatment before blood tests confirm the diagnosis. Treatment will usually be given in hospital away from other patients to help stop the spread of the infection. Diphtheria is spread through breathing in cough and sneeze droplets in the air.
Symptoms include a sore throat, fever, breathing difficulties and a greyish-white membrane in the throat.

Download the immunisation schedule here.