Childhood immunisation counselling

Question 1

What would you say to a parent about the UK vaccination schedule and the importance of vaccination?

Answer 1

Vaccine schedule:

• Vaccination programme is very safe, and almost all babies will have them.
• Reason for vaccination is both to protect your child from harm and to protect the community as a whole.

Importance of vaccination:

• Giving a child a vaccination against a disease dramatically lowers the risk of them catching the illness which could be extremely harmful to them both in the short and long-term.
• By stopping the disease developing in your child, we also stop you child being able to spread the disease, so it can be considered a public health benefit too.
• The aim is to immunise enough people so that we can stop the disease completely.

Question 2

List some diseases that children are routinely vaccinated against.

Answer 2

• Measles
• Mumps
• Rubella
• Whooping cough
• Polio
• Meningitis

Question 3

What should a parent expect on vaccine day?

Answer 3

When you come into the clinic, the nurse will ask a few questions abut how your child is, including whether they have been unwell recently, whether they have any medical conditions, and if they have any allergies.
This is to make sure it is suitable to give the vaccination.
The vaccination will be given as an injection, usually in the thigh.

Question 4

What is a child’s normal reaction to being vaccinated?

Answer 4

• It is normal for your child to be a bit upset by the injection and cry at the time.
• You may find they are a little more irritable for 48h afterwards and may have a bit if a temperature.
• If this happens there are a few things that you can do including giving some Calpol for the temperature and making sure they are still drinking regularly
• In about 1 in 10 children, the place of injection can be a bit red and sore for a day or so - this again should be relieved by Calpol, some reassurance, and a cold compress may also help

Question 5

What rare, but more serious reactions, might a child having following being vaccinated?

Answer 5

• If there is a large swelling at the site of the injection, or you notice any rashes or swelling elsewhere (lips/mouth) it is important to contact the doctor urgent
• Very occasionally, a child may have an adverse reaction to the vaccine and many have a temperature that does not respond to Calpol
• Children sometimes can experience seizures when they have a raised temperature, and if this happens you should seek medical review
• Complications of vaccines are very rare, but the complications of the diseases which we are vaccinating against are more common and often more serious, and that is why we feel it is for the best to immunise children

Question 6

What do you say if a parent asks about MMR causing autism?

Answer 6

“There was a piece of research published a number of years ago, claiming a link between MMR and autism. Since its release it has been discredited – the research was on a very small group of individuals and the outcomes were biased by several factors. The research has since been withdrawn and the researchers have been struck off.”

“Giving the MMR as one injection rather than 3 separate ones is shown to be just as safe, and arguably results in less discomfort for your baby.”