Keep Your Child Well – Get Them Immunised
Protect your children from a host of serious - but preventable - diseases if you get them vaccinated.
Vaccination will help protect and keep your child safe from dangerous infections and illnesses:
Infection of the brain and spinal cord
Infection that causes muscle weakness and difficulty moving
Bacterial infection of the nervous system
Bacterial infection which can cause breathing difficulties and heart failure
Can cause septicaemia (blood poisoning) and meningitis
Causing whooping cough
Affects breathing, bones and joints, and the nervous system
Causes liver infection
Causes rash, ear infections, can cause blindness and brain swelling
Swollen glands, face and inflammation of the body
(German Measles)
Against the cases of diarrhoea and vomiting
These illnesses can cause serious and long-term harm - even death - for children who are not vaccinated, leaving them unprotected.
All routine vaccinations are free to adults and children on the NHS.
Vaccination helps children build up their immunity and ability to fight off these diseases. Small, harmless amounts of the disease are introduced in vaccines, so that the body creates ‘antibodies’ to fight it off. If the real disease comes along you are immune because the antibodies will fight the infection.
Immunisation protects each individual child – AND the whole family and community, because it stops diseases spreading. Many dangerous diseases have been stamped out in the UK and across the world, thanks to widespread childhood vaccination.
Vaccinations are given at intervals from birth through various stages of childhood. This means children need to have ‘boosters’, or additional vaccinations as they develop in age. Your local GP practices and health visitor can advise when your child is due for their vaccination and next booster.
All vaccines are tested and monitored before being given to children so they are safe – and suitable for everyone - including those following vegan, cultural or religious dietary guidelines.
Urban myths about whether vaccines are safe have been discredited - including many studies showing no link between MMR and autism.
There are some common side effects of vaccines, such as a fever and swelling at the injection site, but these usually resolve in a few days. Speak to your GP or practice nurse if you’re worried about any side effects or you need more information.
Contact your GP practice for an appointment.
Or, just call 07469 351784 Monday-Friday 9am-5pm to book into one of our Childhood Immunisation clinics:
When you attend a clinic, or GP Practice for your child’s immunisation, please remember to bring your Red Book with you.
Vaccination, Immunisation – your questions answered
It is really important that you bring your child at the correct time to have their vaccinations done. Your child will be vaccinated in a safe and clean area and the nurse will have protective equipment to help keep you and your baby safe.
In 2018-19 there was a major measles outbreak affecting hundreds of children in Hackney, some of whom were admitted to hospital. Measles is a very serious disease, and can lead to disability and even death.
Yes. You will be offered the 6 week check for your baby as usual, but this will be done at 8 weeks so that we can give the first doses of vaccinations at the same time. It is important you attend the baby check as it ensures your baby is healthy and well.
It may be that your GP does some of the baby check over the phone – your surgery will let you know.
Vaccines are given at exactly the right time of a baby’s development and at the time they’re most at risk of getting the illness.
The vaccines are timed so that the body is not overwhelmed and the immune system can develop memory so that if your baby is exposed to the disease, it can fight it off without your child becoming unwell.
The first dose will be given at 8 weeks of age to protect them at the right time.
The immune system deals with thousands of viruses and bacteria during everyday activities like eating and playing. Therefore, vaccines are a tiny proportion of what an infant’s immune system deals with on a daily basis. Giving the vaccines at the correct time means that your child will be protected at a time when they are most vulnerable.
Contact your GP surgery as soon as possible to arrange an appointment. A late vaccination is better than no vaccination.