Last Updated on Saturday, 15 May 2010 15:41

In 1790, the English Doctor Edward Jenner developed the first immunization after observing that milkmaids infected with cowpox rarely became ill with a similar and more deadly disease smallpox. His discovery revolutionized healthcare- it’s now possible to prevent more than 20 infectious diseases with immunization or vaccines.

Today scientists continue to develop vaccines through their newfound knowledge of genetics and biology.

Immunization protects humans from disease by stimulating the body’s immune system to respond to a less dangerous form of an illness. An immunization can consist of a less potent form of a microbe (a bacteria or virus), dead microbes, or inactivatd toxins or proteins from microbes. The word immunization and vaccine are often used interchangeably.

Once the immune system is exposed to these substances, it can produce antibodies: proteins made by the body’s immune system that fight infection. These antibodies can later recognize and eliminate the dangerous forms of the disease.

Childhood Immunizations

Some parents wonder whether to vaccinate their children at all because they fear that immunizations may cause problems or side-effects. The fact is that the benefits of immunization far outweigh the risks.

Vaccines are available for 12 childhood illnesses, each given according to a specific schedule. Below are brief descriptions of each condition. See below for UK immunization schedule.

• Hepatitis B: This disease if life threatening, especially in young children. Hepatitis B can cause severe liver damage that can result in liver failure or cancer.  This vaccine is given at birth to babies whose mothers are hepatitis B positive.

• Diptheria: Diptheria is a deadly disease that causes thick grey membranes to develop in the throat. This membrane eventually affects and infected individual’s airway and may cause difficulty with breathing. It also produces a toxic substance that is deposited through the body during the illness.

• Tetanus: Also known as lockjaw, tetanus us a disease that affects the nervous system and may cause permanent damage to the speech, memory and mental functions of it’s victims. It can also result in death in people with compromised immune systems.

• Pertussis: Pertussis, or whooping cough is an extremely dangerous disease to infants. It is highly contagious and may cause convulsions, coma and permanent brain damage.

• Today diptheria, tetanus and pertussis outbreaks are rare in many countries because of the vaccine, which is administered at regular intervals during childhood. See below schedule.

• Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib): Once the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in children, haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) meningitis can result in blindness, hearing impairment, joint damage or permanent brain damage. The Hib vaccine is administered by an injection given between 2 and 4 months of age. See below schedule.

• Pneumococcal Disease: This disease, also known as infantile paralysis is prevented by the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV). The bacteria that causes pneumococcal disease was the most frequent cause of ear infections before the introduction of this vaccine.

• Measles, Mumps and Rubella: The MMR vaccine protects children from the measles, mumps and rubella. Measles was once a common childhood illness in the west. Those stricken sometimes suffered complications such as inflammation of the central nervous system, permanent brain damage or death. Similarly mumps was also once a common disease. It can cause infertility in boys, encephalitis paralysis and seizures. Rubella or German measles is known to cause serious birth defects if a pregnant women becomes infected.

Childrens Immunization Schedule

Two months old

• Diseases protected against: Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). Pneumococcal infection
• Vaccine given: DTaP/IPV/Hib + Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, (PCV)

Three months old

• Diseases protected against: Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Meningitis C
• Vaccine given: DTaP/IPV/Hib + MenC

Four months old

• Diseases protected against: Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Meningitis C. Pneumococcal infection
• Vaccine given: DTaP/IPV/Hib + MenC + PCV

Around 12 months

• Diseases protected against: Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) Meningitis C
• Vaccine given: Hib/MenC

Around 13 months old

• Diseases protected against: Measles, mumps and rubella. Pneumococcal infection
• Vaccine given MMR + PCV

Leave Comments