Immunisation, Vaccination Matters!
DID YOU KNOW?
World Immunisation week starts today!
World Immunisation Week, also known as European Immunisation Week (EIW) promotes the core message that immunisation of every child is vital to prevent diseases and protect life.
The slogan "Prevent. Protect. Immunise" Carries this message across the Region.
World Health Organisation (WHO) World Immunisation Week – celebrated in the last week of April 24 - 30 – aims to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease. Immunisation saves millions of lives every year and is widely recognised as one of the world’s most successful and cost-effective health interventions.
Yet, there are still nearly 20 million unvaccinated and under-vaccinated children in the world today.
What is immunisation?
Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way of protecting children from serious diseases that can cause severe health problems and even death. It not only helps protect individuals; it also protects the broader community by minimising the spread of disease.
Vaccines work by triggering the immune system to fight against certain diseases. If a vaccinated person comes in contact with these diseases, their immune system is able to respond more effectively, preventing the disease from developing or greatly reducing its severity. Having your child immunised gives him or her immunity against specific diseases and helps protect them from unnecessary pain and suffering.
What childhood diseases does immunisation protect against?
Immunisation protects against many serious childhood diseases, including:
- whooping cough (pertussis)
- measles
- German measles (rubella)
- meningococcal C
- pneumococcal disease
- chickenpox (varicella)
- tetanus
- mumps
- polio
- diphtheria
- rotavirus
- hepatitis.
These diseases can cause hospitalisation, serious ongoing health conditions (including cancer, brain damage and deafness) and are sometimes fatal.
High immunisation rates in the community have led to many of these diseases becoming rare. However, they still exist and the risks of side-effects or complications from these diseases are far greater than the very small risks of side effects from vaccination.
Don’t delay!
To offer the best protection, it is important for your child to be vaccinated at the recommended times rather than delaying or splitting vaccines.
Unborn babies are protected by their mother’s antibodies, which last for a few months after birth. Once these antibodies wear off, babies are at risk of serious infections and diseases.
Babies are due for their first vaccinations before these antibodies disappear. Vaccines are recommended for babies because their immune systems are not yet fully mature, making it easier for bacteria and viruses to multiply.
Is vaccination safe?
Vaccination is a very safe prevention tool. However, no medication can ever be 100% safe. The benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks of becoming ill with a life-threatening disease.
All vaccines used in Australia undergo extensive research and must be approved for use by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Before a vaccine can be licensed, it is tested over several years to ensure it is safe and that it works.
Any concerns that you have about vaccine safety should be raised with your doctor or immunisation provider.
Do vaccines have side-effects?
Like all medications, vaccines may have side effects. Nearly all of these are minor reactions, such as soreness at the injection site or a mild fever.
Most side-effects are short lived and do not lead to any long-term problems. A slight reaction actually shows that the vaccine is having the desired effect on the immune system. More serious side effects are extremely rare, but may include allergic reactions (including anaphylaxis).
About 1 in 17,000 babies may develop intussusception in the first few weeks after the 1st and 2nd vaccine doses following rotavirus vaccination.
If you are at all concerned, seek medical advice immediately.
Where can I have my child vaccinated?
Check with your local council and/or child health centre to see if they offer free vaccination clinics (often no appointment is necessary).
You can also have your child vaccinated by your doctor. While the vaccine will be free, your doctor may charge a consultation fee.
Save the date
The 'Save the Date' phone app provides parents with a personalised schedule for each child, and sends a series of handy reminders when it's time to schedule immunisation appointments. You can then call your Doctor or Immunisation Nurse straight from the app. Pretty clever!
You can find the app @ Google Play Store or at the Apple Store
Keeping a record of vaccinations
It is important to keep a record of your child’s vaccinations. Make sure you take your child’s Personal Health Record to each vaccination so the service provider can record the details for you.
More information
You can find more information @ immunisation.health.nsw.gov.au
~ Shantelle Downey
References
Australian Government Department of Health, ‘Frequently Asked Questions About Immunisation’https://www.immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/frequently-asked-question...
Every Child by Two, 2009. ‘Importance of Timing’, Available at www.vaccinateyourbaby.org/about/importance.cfm
Australian Government, Department of Health. Australian Immunisation Register, https://www.immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/about-immunisation-registers
World health Organisation (2019), World Immunisation Week 2019. retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2019/04/24/default-calendar/world-immunization-week-2019