Baby's first year : Understanding Vaccinations
VACCINES EXPLAINED
BCG vaccine
An abbreviation for the term, Bacillus Calmette-Guerin, BCG vaccine is given to protect your child against tuberculosis (TB). The vaccine is usually given between 10 and 14 years but may also be given to newborn babies.
DTP-Hib vaccine
The DTP- Hib vaccine protects against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough (pertussis). In addition, it also protects against infection by a bacteria called Haemphilus influenzae type b and hence the name, Hib. This vaccine is given when your baby is two, three and four months old. Further booster doses are required one at 3-5 years and another at 13-18 years.
Polio vaccine
Unlike other vaccines, polio vaccine is given orally i.e. through the mouth. It protects against poliomyelitis commonly called polio. The vaccine is given when your baby is two, three and four months old. After that, booster doses are given at 3-5 years and 13-18 years.
MMR vaccine
This vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella (or German measles).
This vaccine is given when your child is 12-15ths old and
again between 3-5 years of age.
Meningitis C vaccine:
This vaccine is now part of the immunisation program in the UK. It protects against group C meningitis and septicaemia. The new vaccine will not protect against other causes of meningitis and septicaemia. The vaccine is given to babies aged two, three and four months with each of their DTP-Hib and polio immunisations.
