CHILD IMMUNIZATION

WHAT IS IMMUNIZATION ?

This is giving a vaccine by mouth or injection to make a child resistant to a specific

virus or bacterium. The diseases your child will be immunized against are infectious

and unpleasant; some are fatal, while others may cause permanent disability.

What illnesses can be vaccinated against ?

Your child usually needs immunization against the following diseases. In areas where tuberculosis (TB) is common, children are given a tuberculin skin test and, if it is positive, a chest X-ray. Polio (poliomyelitis) A virus that affects the nervous system and can cause permanent paralysis, or even death if it affects the chest muscles. Diphtheria A serious throat infection that can spread to the heart and nervous system. Tetanus A potentially fatal bacterial disease that can paralyze the muscles, causing painful spasms. Pertussis (whooping cough) A bacterial illness that causes persistent severe coughing, and can result in vomiting, convulsions, and lung damage. Hib (Haemophilus influenzae b) A bacterial infection that causes a range of serious illnesses, including meningitis and pneumonia. Chickenpox A virus that produces a rash of blisters; may lead to pneumonia and encephalitis. Measles A virus that can cause chest infections, convulsions, and permanent brain damage. Mumps A viral infection that can cause painful inflammation of the salivary glands. It can affect the nervous system and cause meningitis. Rubella A virus that produces a rash and fever, but causes serious birth defects in unborn babies. Hepatitis B A virus that causes liver disease. Pneumococcal meningitis A bacterial form of meningitis linked with septicemia and chest and ear infections. Can cause long-term complications.

When will my child be vaccinated? 

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians recommend the following schedule:

• Birth Hep B #1 (hepatitis)

• 2 months Hep B #2; DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis); Hib (Haemophilus influenzae); IPV (inactivated polio vaccine); PCV (pneumococcal vaccine)

• 4 months DTaP; Hib; IPV; PCV

• 6 months Hep B #3; DTaP; Hib; IPV; PCV

• 12–18 months DTaP; Hib; PCV; MMR #1 (measles, mumps, rubella); varicella (chickenpox)

• 4–6 years DTaP; IPV; MMR #2.

The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends the following schedule:

• Birth Hep B #1 (hepatitis—may be administered in infancy or preadolescence)

• 1 month Hep B #2

• 2 months DaPTP-Hib #1 (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio [given orally as IPV in some provinces], Haemophilusinfluenzae); pneumococcal vaccine #1; meningitis C vaccine #1

• 4 months DaPTP-Hib #2; pneumococcal vaccine #2; meningitis C vaccine #2

• 6 months DaPTP-Hib #3; pneumococcal vaccine #3; Hep B #3; meningitis C vaccine #3

• 12–15 months MMR #1 (measles, mumps, rubella); varicella (chickenpox); pneumococcal vaccine #4

• 18 months DaPTP-Hib #4

• 4–6 years DaPTP; MMR #2.