Recommendations for immunisations

Below are tables with the current recommendations for immunisations.

Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis
Hepatitis B, Polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Meningitis C
Measles, Mumps, Rubella

Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis

Diphtheria
Tetanus
Pertussis

What causes the disease?
Bacteria
Toxin from Bacteria
Bacteria

Do we actually still see this disease in the UK?
Very Rarely
Occasionally
Quite often

Is it contagious?
Moderately
Not at all
Extremely

How is it transmitted?
Coughing, sneezing, etc.
Infection of cuts in skin
Coughing, sneezing, etc

What can happen if you get the disease?
Obstruction of breathing
Severe muscle spasms
Severe cough, loss of breath

Can it cause death?
Yes
Possible but not commonly
Yes

Notifications of Infectious Diseases in England and Wales
2(1990) with 92% vaccine uptake - 23(1999) with 96% vaccine uptake
9(1990) - 3(1999)
15,286(1990) - 1,139(1999)

What are the initials for the vaccine?
DTP vaccine since 1990 (Triple)
DTP
DTP

How many injections are needed in total?
4
4 and then 1 every 10 yrs
3

When are the injections typically given?
2,3,4, months & 3-4 years
2,3,4, months & 3-4 years
2,3,4, months

What are common side effects?
Pain at injection site, fever, and fretfulness
Pain at injection site, fever, and fretfulness
Pain at injection site, fever, and fretfulness

What are rare complications?
Convulsions, Inconsolable crying, and fever >105
Convulsions, Inconsolable crying, and fever >105
Convulsions, Inconsolable crying, and fever >105

Who absolutely shouldn't get the vaccine?
Previous severe allergic reaction or brain disorder occurring within seven days of last DTP immunisation
Previous severe allergic reaction or brain disorder occurring within seven days of last DTP immunisation
Previous severe allergic reaction or brain disorder occurring within seven days of last DTP immunisation

Additional Comments
Side effects of this injection felt to be mostly from the pertussis portion. TD>
Side effects of this injection felt to be mostly from the pertussis portion.
Most children who get pertussis (whooping cough) get it from an adult who doesn't realize he has it

Polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Meningitis C

Polio
Haemophilus influenzae type b
Meningitis C

What causes the disease?
Virus
Bacteria
Bacteria

Do we actually still see this disease in the UK?
Not at all
Occasionally
Yes

Is it contagious?
Moderately
Moderately
Yes

How is it transmitted?
In the stool of infected persons
Coughing, sneezing, etc.
Coughing, sneezing, etc.

What can happen if you get the disease?
Paralysis
Meningitis & infection in blood or skin
Meningitis or Septicaemia or combined disease

Can it cause death?
Yes
Yes
Yes

What are the initials for the vaccine?
Oral Polio
HiB
Men C

How many doses are needed total?
4
3
3

When are the injections typically given?
2,3,4 months, 4 years
2,3,4 months
2,3,4 months

What are common side effects?
Pain at injection site
Pain at injection site
Brief illness possible, headache, pain at injection site

What are rare complications?
None established
None established
Possible rare anaphylaxis reaction

Who absolutely shouldn't get the vaccine?
Anyone who has immune system problems or has contact with anyone with immune system problems
None. However, the Hib is usually given as part of the DTP shot. If there is a reason for not giving the DTP, then a shot for Hib alone may be given
Anyone who has acute, severe, febrile illness

Additional Comments
None
Despite the confusing name, this is NOT the "flu shot." The flu is a viral illness that has a vaccination that is electively given once per year and is not part of standard childhood immunizations
Meningitis is the leading infectious cause of death in children in the UK, with increased incidence over the past 5 years.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella,

Measles
Mumps
Rubella

What causes the disease?
Virus
Virus
Virus

Do we actually still see this disease in the UK?
Yes, in occasional outbreaks
Rarely
Rarely

Is it contagious?
Yes
Yes
Yes

How is it transmitted?
Saliva, sneezing, coughing
Coughing, sneezing, etc.
Saliva, sneezing, coughing

What can happen if you get the disease?
Fever, rash, possible brain damage
Swollen glands, brain swelling, sterility
Mild fever, rash, birth defects if pregnant

Can it cause death?
Yes, but uncommonly
Yes, but rare
Yes, in babies born to mums who have it

Notification in England and Wales
13,302(1990) - 2,438(1999)
4,277(1990) - 1691(1999)
11,491(1990) - 1954(1999)

What are the initials for the vaccine?
MMR
MMR
MMR

How many injections are needed total?
2
2

When are the injections typically given?
12 months and 4-6 years
12 months and 4-6 years
12 months and 4-6 years

What are common side effects?
Fever and rash
Low grade fever, mildly swollen salivary glands
Rash, fever, and swollen glands

What are rare complications?
Seizures due to the fever, low platelet count (the cells that help blood clot when you get a cut), and severe allergic reaction
Mild allergic reactions
Joint pain which goes away in a few weeks

Who absolutely shouldn't get the vaccine?
Pregnant women or women planning to be pregnant within 3 months, previous severe allergic reaction to MMR or to neomycin, persons with immune system problems except HIV
Pregnant women, those who have has severe allergic reactions to neomycin, persons with immune system problems except HIV
Pregnant women, those who have has severe allergic reactions to neomycin, persons with immune system problems except HIV

Additional Comments
Anyone who received their first MMR before their first birthday may not be immune and should receive another immunisation
none
As with all immunisations, the fact that there is a pregnant woman in the household should not be a reason to not immunise a child