Parents and caregivers must make sure that the children in their care receive the prescribed vaccinations according to the immunisation schedule. Immunisation remains the most effective means of preventing some very serious diseases in children.
For most children immunisation poses little risk. However, if you have any concerns, be sure to discuss them with your doctor. Always keep a current record of your child’s immunisations. That way, if your child has missed any, you can let the doctor know, so your child can “catch up.”
Childhood check-ups and immunisations
All children need immunisations (vaccinations) to protect against diseases. Often more than one immunisation is needed for each type of disease. The following information describes each immunisation and gives a schedule based on the recommendation of the Health Society of South Africa.
Immunisation schedule
Vaccine: Hepatitis (HB)
Disease prevented: Hepatitis B, a disease that causes swelling of the liver.
Vaccination schedule: 1st: Birth–2 months. 2nd: 1–2 months after the 1st. 3rd: 6–12 months after the 1st.
Vaccine: Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP)
Diseases prevented: Diphtheria, an infection that causes fever, weakness and difficult breathing. Tetanus (“lockjaw”), a fatal disease associated with dirty wounds that causes muscles of the neck and jaw to go into spasm. Pertussis (“whooping cough”), a highly contagious childhood disease that causes loud coughing and gasping.
Vaccination schedule: 1st: 2 months. 2nd: 4 months. 3rd: 6 months. 4th: 12–18 months. 5th: 4–6 years. 6th: 11–16 years.
Vaccine: Haemophilus influenza Type B (HIB)
Disease prevented: A type of “flu” that can be dangerous to young children.
Vaccination schedule: 1st: 2 months. 2nd: 4 months. 3rd: 6 months. 4th: 12–15 months.
Vaccine: Polio (OPV)
Disease prevented: An infection that can paralyse the muscles.
Vaccination schedule: 1st: 2 months. 2nd: 4 months. 3rd: 6–18 months. 4th: 4–6 years.
Vaccine: Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
Diseases prevented: Measles, a disease marked by red spots, fever and coughing. Mumps, a disease that causes swelling and discomfort in the salivary glands, and sometimes affects the ovaries and testes. Rubella (“German measles”), a milder form of measles which is highly contagious and can cause birth defects if a pregnant woman catches the disease.
Vaccination schedule: 1st: 12–15 months. 2nd: 4–12 years. Some schools require a vaccination at 12 years.
Vaccine: Varicella
Disease prevented: Chickenpox, a contagious childhood disease that causes itchy raised bumps on the skin, along with fever and fatigue.
Vaccination schedule: 12–18 months (often given with the MMR vaccine) or any time from 18 months to 12 years if not given earlier and there is no history of chickenpox.
Regular child check-ups
How often should your child see the doctor or medical clinic? Not just when he or she is sick! The doctor will set up a regular check-up schedule that includes a physical examination and an assessment of your child’s social, psychological and nutritional development.
Our Employee Wellbeing Programme (EAP) is available 24 hours a day if you want to know more about the immunisation schedule.