Immunisations

Question 1

Immunisation schedule

Answer 1

• 2 months
  
  • DTaP/IPV(polio)/Hib (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, and Haemophilus influenzae type b) - all-in-one injection
  • PCV (pneumococcal conjugate vaccine) - in a separate injection
  • Rotarix® (rotavirus gastroenteritis)
• 3 months
  
  • DTaP/IPV(polio)/Hib (2nd dose)
  • MenC (meningitis C) - in a separate injection
  • Rotarix® (rotavirus gastroenteritis) - oral route.
• 4 months
  
  • DTaP/IPV(polio)/Hib (3rd dose)
  • PCV (2nd dose) - in a separate injection.
• 12 months
  
  • Hib/MenC (combined as one injection) - 4th dose of Hib and 2nd dose of MenC
• 13 months
  
  • **MMR **(measles, mumps and rubella) - combined as one injection
  • PCV (3rd dose) - in a separate injection.
• 3-5 years (pre-school)
  
  • Pre-school booster of DTaP/IPV(polio)
  • MMR (second dose) - in a separate injection
• Girls 12-13 years
  
  • HPV (human papillomavirus types 16 and 18) - three injections: Gardasil®.
  • The second injection is given 1-2 months after the first one. The third is given about six months after the first one.

Question 2

Contraindications for vaccines

Answer 2

• Absolute
  
  • Anaphylactic reaction to vaccine components
    
    • Influenza - allergy to egg
• Temporary
  
  • Immunosupressed
    
    • Transplants, cancer, chemotherapy, HIV infection
  • Acutely ill

Question 3

What is a vaccine?

Answer 3

• A small dose of an inactive form of a bacterium or virus
• Gives your body a head start in recognising and protecting against future infection
• Many diseases have been controlled or even eradicated through immunisation