Vaccinating babies and children

By getting vaccinated against various diseases, like measles and whooping cough (pertussis), everyone does their part to help prevent serious, life-threatening diseases in our children. The vaccination process for children will depend on where you live.

Some vaccines are included in local immunisation programmes, while others may be added on. There may be a lot to keep in mind – so read on to learn more about babies and vaccination.

What vaccines are most babies given?

Babies are vaccinated against a variety of diseases, which have changed over time; local recommendations are updated and modified as new situations arise and guidelines change. Immunisation programmes have made diseases like measles and whooping cough very rare, but they have not been fully eradicated. This means that if we stopped vaccinating our children – or if too many people opted out – we would be close to a generalised spread of these dangerous childhood diseases, and we might have a big problem quickly. Vaccinating a child prevents life-threatening diseases in that child, but also represents an act of solidarity that hinders the spread of infectious diseases among people who are not vaccinated for various reasons. Basically: the more people who are not vaccinated, the greater the risk of diseases spreading among the public.

Most vaccines are administered through a shot, which often contains multiple substances in order to minimise the number of injections given to the child. The rotavirus vaccine, which used to be the most common cause of severe diarrhoea in infants, is given as a liquid dropped into the baby’s mouth.

Here is an example of what an immunisation programme might include, depending on where you live:

• 6 weeks: Rotavirus
• 3 months: Second dose of rotavirus, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Hib, hepatitis B and pneumococcal vaccine.
• 5 months: Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Hib, hepatitis B and pneumococcal vaccine.
• 12 months: Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Hib, hepatitis B and pneumococcal vaccine.
• 18 months: Measles, mumps and rubella.
• 5 years: Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio.

For more robust protection, several booster shots are given when children start school. Many childhood immunisation programmes also include the HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine, which is a common sexually transmitted infection that can cause cervical cancer. This vaccine is recommended for children aged 11–12. A google search will give you more information about the various diseases.

BCG vaccine for tuberculosis

The BCG vaccine is usually only given if there is increased risk of coming into contact with tuberculosis (TB).

How do vaccines work? Are there any risks?

A vaccine gives the body a small and controlled dose of the substance that causes the disease. The immune system reacts and begins to produce cells and antibodies to fight that particular disease – and as a result, you become immune. There may be reasons not to vaccinate a child, for example, an immune system that has been weakened by illness. Children who have had a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine ingredient are not given vaccines either. If your child has a fever on the day a vaccine is scheduled, the vaccine will usually be postponed, because their body is already busy handling an infection. If you have any questions or are wondering anything about your child’s immunisations, talk to your paediatrician.

The vaccines included in immunisation programmes are meticulously tested and controlled – after all, they are used on our little ones, so do rest assured. In addition, these vaccines have been in use for a long time and all over the world, which has made it possible to follow their effects over time – and we therefore know that they are safe. The vast majority of children have no or very minor side effects that pass within a few days of receiving the vaccine. Mild fever and some redness and tenderness at the point of injection are the most common.

Extra vaccinations – for travel or extraordinary circumstances

Some vaccines might not be included in the childhood vaccination programme where you live. They may be available to the child upon the parents’ request, either for travel or for special medical purposes.

• Hepatitis A. The vaccine is given in two doses, and is for children who are at least one year of age.
• Chickenpox. The first dose can be given from 9 months of age. In the US, Canada and Australia, the chickenpox vaccine is recommended for all children. In Ireland and the UK, it is not part of routine childhood vaccination.
• Influenza (flu). Depending on where you live, children may or may not be recommended to get the flu shot.
• Measles. Measles is included in most immunisation programmesand is first given at 18 months of age. But if you are planning a trip before they are 18 months old, it is a good idea to be on the safe side, and to give them the vaccine before you go.

Please note that all information above is based on Swedish recommendations.