Immunisation >> Children Immunisation

Children Immunisation

Introduction

Immunisation is the process of giving vaccines to the baby with the intention of stimulating the defense mechanism against infectious diseases. These vaccines are killed or weakened virus and whole or part of bacteria. They are given mainly by injection (either into the muscle or beneath the skin) or through the mouth. Immunisation protects the individual and community from disease outbreaks. The side-effects of the vaccination are uncommon and are usually mild.

Some pictures of immunisation process :

Injection DTP (Diptheria Tetanus Pertussis) given to the fleshy part of the thigh

Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) given into the mouth

Vaccines used in the Ministry of Health (MOH), Malaysia

Note:

1. All the above diseases can spread from one person to another, except tetanus (which is caused by wounds in the body being contaminated by soil containing that bacteria)
2. #-wP - the vaccine used is the whole cell Pertussis
3. The vaccines which may be offered in the private sector include :
   • aP acellular Pertussis made from component of the bacteria
   • Varicella (chickenpox)
   • Influenzae
   • Hepatitis A
   • Typhoid fever

Immunisation schedule

Vaccine	Age ( Months )								School
	Birth	1	2	3	5	6	12	18	Std 1	Form 3
BCG	1
Hep B	1st	2nd			3rd
DTwP+Hib			1st	2nd	3rd
"DTP or DT								DTP booster	DT booster
Tetanus										booster
OPV			1st	2nd	3rd			booster	booster
Measles						Sabah
MMR							1st		2nd

Note :

• Hib and MMR were not offered by MOH before July 2002.
• Measles used to be given as a single vaccine (monocomponent) at 9 months of age before 2002. Presently it is given as a single dose at age 6 months in Sabah.

The diseases and the complications that can be prevented by vaccination

Note - All these diseases cause serious illnesses and deaths.

Safety and side effects of vaccination

All vaccines used are safe and effective and in accordance with the WHO (World Health Organization) recommendations.The side-effects are mild and self-limiting. These include fever, local swelling and pain at the injection sites which will respond to oral medication (paracetamol).
Serious side-effects are rare and your doctor should be consulted immediately. This includes :

• Excessive crying, drowsy, pale colour, poor muscle tone occurring within 48 hours after vaccination
• Sudden onset of skin rashes, breathlessness and drowsiness

Precautions & contra-indications to immunisation are uncommon

1. Care may be taken in the following situations :
• Minor illness with or without fever is not a contra-indication for immunisation.
• Minor reaction after taking egg is not a contra-indication against measles vaccination.
• However, if your baby is having an acute illness with body temperature more than 38 degrees Celsius, the immunisation can be postponed till the baby recovers.
• If your baby is having easy bruising due to a rare medical condition, the intra-muscular injection may cause bleeding into the muscle.


2. The following situations are rare and are contra-indications to immunisation :
• Live vaccines (OPV, MMR) are contra-indicated if your baby has weakened body defenses against germs either through a serious disease or on certain medication (long term steroids, acute stage of cancer treatment). Once your child condition has improved, immunisation may be recommenced.
• Your child has a known severe allergic generalised reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of vaccination or to any component of the vaccine.

Points to remember in immunisation

• Prevention of the disease through vaccination is much better than trying to cure the disease when it has occurred.
• Please remember to complete your baby's vaccination according to the time scheduled.

• The vaccines are effective and side-effects are uncommon and not serious.
• Please consult your doctor if you have anxiety over any potential contra-indication against immunisation for your baby.

Last reviewed : 25 January 2006