Immunise Me!

Article contributed by:

Raffles Medical Group

 

Is immunisation really necessary and when?  If so, what do you get your child vaccinated against?  Dr Wong Wei Mon, Senior Physician at Raffles Medical, answers some reservations about childhood immunisation.

 

On this page: ► Letting Nature Run Its Course ► So Many Vaccinations, Which to Take and When? ► Multiple Vaccinations = Pain? ► Side Effects ► Perhaps My Child Need Not Be Immunised ► MMR Vaccine = Autism? ► Vacation Time Overseas

 
Letting Nature Run Its Course

My child doesn’t need vaccinations.  I prefer him to build up his own immunity to fight the disease.
 
While some believe that letting the body ‘run its course’ is best, choosing to remain unvaccinated can be devastating.  As children under two are not armed with the specific antibodies against diseases and remain vulnerable to diseases till nine years old, leaving the body to fend for itself during these developmental years can be fatal.  Do not jeopardise your child’s future by putting your unvaccinated child at risk of life-threatening diseases like Tetanus and Meningitis as they can kill and maim.
 
Contrary to popular belief, vaccines do not weaken the immune system. Although vaccines provide the same stimulus to the immune system as an infection, it avoids the complications associated with disease.  Instead, it uses a person’s natural response to the disease to stimulate the immune system so that if someone is exposed to that specific virus or bacteria in the future, their immune system can ‘remember it’ and mount an effective response to either stop the disease from developing or reduce the severity of disease.

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So Many Vaccinations, Which to Take and When?

There are so many vaccinations out there. Do I need to vaccinate against everything and when?
 
Since vaccines work by protecting the body before disease strikes, the best time to immunise your child is when he is healthy.  Under the National Childhood Immunisation Programme (NCIP), the vaccinations are recommended at the specific age are:
 

Age	Vaccine	Immunisation Against
At Birth	BCG	Tuberculosis
	Hepatitis B – 1st  Dose	Hepatitis B
1 Month	Hepatitis B – 2nd Dose	Hepatitis B
3 Month	DPT/DT – 1st  Dose	Diptheris, Pertussis & Tetanus
	Oral Sabin – 1st  Dose	Poliomyelitis
	PNC – 1st Dose	Pneumococcal Disease
4 Month	DPT/DT – 2nd Dose	Diptheria, Pertussis & Tetanus
	Oral Sabin – 2nd Dose	Poliomyelitis
5 Month	DPT/DT – 3rd Dose	Diptheria, Pertussis & Tetanus
	Oral Sabin – 3rd Dose	Poliomyelitis
	PNC – 2nd Dose	Pneumococcal Disease
5-6 Months*	Hepatitis B – 3rd Dose	Hepatitis B
1-2 Years	MMR – Primary Dose	Measles, Mumps & Rubella
	PNC – Booster	Pneumococcal Disease
18 Months	DPT/DT – 1st  Booster	Diptheria, Pertussis & Tetanus
	Oral Sabin – 1st Booster	Poliomyelitis
6-7 Years (Primary 1)	Oral Sabin – 2nd Booster	Poliomyelitis
	MMR – Booster	Measles, Mumps & Rubella
10-11 Years (Primary 5)**	DT-containing vaccine – 2nd Booster	Diptheria & Tetanus
	Oral Sabin – 3rd Booster	Poliomyelitis

 

*	The 3rd dose of Hepatitis B vaccination can be given with the 3rd dose of DPT and  Oral Sabin for the convenience of parents.
**	Children in Primary 5 (2008-2011) will receive the MMR booster and DT 3rd booster.

 

However, not all vaccinations are compulsory as only Diptheria and Measles are compulsory by law.

 

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Multiple Vaccinations = Pain?

I know vaccinations are important, but do I have to put my child through so many needles?  It’s going to be painful for him!

diseases with a single prick.  Currently, thecompulsory vaccination against Diptheria can also include the Tetanus vaccine (known as DT), or both Tetanus and Pertussis vaccine (DPT).  The compulsory shot for measles is a 3-in-1 vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella.  It is easy to get the recommended vaccinations with 5-in-1 and 6-in-1 vaccines that vaccinates against Diptheria/ Pertussis/ Tetanus (DPT), Polio and Haemophilus Influenza Type B (Hib), while the 6-in-1 also includes the Hepatitis B vaccination.
 
Not only do these combination vaccines provide greater convenience with reduced visits to the doctor, it also eases the pain your child may experience.

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Side Effects

What are some side effects of vaccination?

 
A small minority may experience minor side effects or mild reactions. These may include fever; pain, redness or swelling at the injection site, irritability and loss of appetite.  Very occasionally, an allergic reaction develops after immunisation.  The nurses or doctors will be able to handle this well.
 

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Perhaps My Child Need Not Be Immunised

Is there any reason why my child should not be immunised?

 
There are very few reasons why your child should not be immunised. However, if your child has a high fever, had a bad reaction to other immunisations, has severe allergy to eggs, has had cancer treatment, a bleeding disorder or convulsions (fits), you should alert your doctor before getting the vaccination.  This is especially so for children with compromised immune systems as the vaccination may interfere with preexisting conditions and cause more damage.

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MMR Vaccine = Autism?

 Is there cause of concern for the MMR vaccine?  Does it cause autism in children?

 
Concerns that the MMR vaccine, which protects against mumps, measles and rubella, could cause autism were first raised by a study conducted a decade ago.  The study suggested a link between the vaccine and autism, a disorder marked by impaired communication and social skills, repetitive behaviour and very restricted interests.  Since then, several larger studies have dispelled these myths and proved that the MMR vaccine does not raise the risk of autism and other autism-spectrum disorders.
 
The benefits of being protected against mumps, measles and rubella far outweigh the risks as these diseases lead to lifetime disabilities and even death.
 

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Vacation Time Overseas

I’m travelling abroad with my child.  Is there a need for vaccination?

 
Parents preparing for an overseas trip often forget to prepare the most important thing; vaccinating themselves and their children.  It is important to get children vaccinated to prevent infections that can be easily contracted in a foreign land by consuming contaminated food and water.
 
Do check with your doctor for the recommended vaccinations for the specific country.  Vaccinations against Hepatitis A, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, yellow fever and meningococcal are often recommended.
 
Plan your vaccinations four to six weeks ahead of departure so that any side effects your child may experience will not ruin your holiday.
 

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Article contributed by:
Raffles Medical Group

Dated: November 2011

 

 

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