When are they given?

Most vaccines are given during childhood. Some are given more than once to make sure the protection continues this top up is called a booster. Routine childhood vaccinations usually follow this time table:

Hepatitis B Vaccination.

When a baby is born to a mother who has or is at risk of Hepatitis B the baby should be given the accelerated course of Hepatitis B vaccination. Following the 4th dose (see table below) the baby may require a blood test.

BCG (vaccination to protect against Tuberculosis)

BCG is offered to children who have families connected to countries with high incidence of Tuberculosis; ask School Nurse or Health Visitor for advice.

The GP practice with which the baby is registered co-ordinate baby’s immunisations it is therefore important that when baby is registered GP’s are informed of the baby/child's current vaccination status. It is important that the baby is immunised as near to schedule as possible. Premature babies should also be immunised from 2 months after their birth unless advised otherwise by paediatrician.

The child health record book forms the complete record of their childhood immunisations it is therefore important to take their red book with them if possible.

It is recommended that there is at least 1 month’s gap between immunisations to allow the child's body to build up an adequate immune response.

If the gap is longer than month the course should be resumed as soon as possible.

Common Side Effects

• Redness, swelling or tenderness where they had the injection (this will slowly disappear on it’s own)
• Be a bit irritable and feel unwell
• May have a temperature

How to Treat a Fever

• Make sure the child does not have to many layers of clothes or blankets
• Encourage child to have plenty of cool drinks

A dose of infant paracetamol liquid may help to reduce the child's fever. Read instructions on bottle very carefully. A second does may be required 6 hours later.

Never give medicines containing aspirin to children under the age of 16 years.

Call a doctor immediately if the child

• Has a temperature of 39 degrees or above.
• Or has a fit.

What if the baby is unwell on the day of immunisations?

If baby has a minor illness without fever, such as a cold, they should have their immunisations as normal. If the baby is unwell with fever, put off the immunisation until they have recovered.

If the baby has a bleeding disorder or has a fit not associated with fever then speak to Health visitor, GP or practice nurse before immunisation is given. It is extremely rare for immunisations to be deferred for medical reasons and it should only occur on the advice of paediatrician or GP.

Consent for Immunisations

No child can be given any immunisations without first obtaining parental consent from an adult with parental responsibility for the child preferably the birth parent. It is the responsibility of the social worker to give or obtain parental consent. It is therefore essential that Carers check with social worker to see if parental consent has been obtained.

LAC health team have consent forms that can be used when obtaining consent from parents and can be obtained from the LAC team at the Clermont Family Assessment Centre telephone 01273 295466.

For further advice or information contact your Health visitor or practice nurse or call NHS direct on 0845 4647. Or visit www.immunisation.nhs.uk

The above information was compiled using information from NHS Guide to Childhood Immunisations.

HPV Vaccine

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the name given to the family of viruses that effect the skin and moist membranes (Mucosa) that line the body. Mucosa are found in the mouth, throat, cervix and anus.

There are over 100 types of HPV viruses 40 types effecting the genital area. These are classed as high or Low risk depending on the types of conditions they cause. HPV vaccine is effective against 2 types of HPV.

• HPV -16
• HPV-18 

HPV-16 and HPV-18 are responsible for about 70% of cervical cancer cases. It does not protect against all causes of cervical cancer and that is why cervical screening continues to play an important role in detecting potential cancerous cell changes in the cervix.

 Schedule

 Given to girls aged 12 to 13 ( year 8 at school).

Three doses required. Initial dose followed by second two months after first and third dose six months after first. All three doses must be given within a year to ensure protection.

 Very Common side effects include

• pain at injection site
• redness or swelling
• headaches
• muscle pain
• tiredness

Common side effects

• Nausea
• abdominal pain
• Itchy skin, Rash
• Joint pain
• High Temp

for more information visit - www.nhs.uk/Conditions/HPV-vaccination