Immunisation - Frequently Asked Questions
Are the vaccines safe?
Should I delay vaccination if my child is unwell?
No. There are very few illnesses that would prevent your child from being vaccinated, but if in doubt discuss this with your GP or practice nurse.
The timing for each vaccination is based in scientific evidence that considers
The response to the vaccine in children of different ages
The risk of disease
The potential complications to the child
The potential for disease transmission in the community
The efficiency of delivering multiple vaccinations.
Keeping up-to-date with your child’s vaccinations gives them the best protection. If you’ve missed a vaccination, contact your GP to arrange a catch-up appointment as soon as possible.
How effective are vaccines?
Vaccination is scientifically proven to be the best defence system against infectious diseases. It’s the most important thing we can do to protect ourselves and our children.
The World Health Organisation estimates that 20.4 million deaths have been prevented since 2001. It recently listed vaccine hesitancy (where people with access to vaccines delay or refuse vaccination) as one of the top 10 threats to global health.
Do the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks?
Yes. Vaccines are incredibly safe. Most side-effects are very mild (like a fever) and can be managed at home. More severe reactions are much rarer and can be managed by your GP. The risks of not vaccinating are far greater. For example, measles (which is highly contagious) can develop into pneumonia, brain inflammation and in rare cases, death. It also weakens your child’s immune system for a few years after the initial infection. Since the measles vaccine was introduced in 1968, over 4,500 deaths have been prevented.
Why so many vaccines at once?
Scientific studies have shown that the vaccines that we use do not weaken a child’s immune system. Combination vaccines have been developed to reduce the number of injections your child needs and the discomfort that goes along with that. From the day your child is born, they come into contact with thousands of different bacteria and viruses. The viruses in vaccinations are weakened or killed so are less risky but still prompt a response from the immune system.
Source: Public Health England
