NHS Cambs: Is Your Child Protected?

From October 2010 the way that childhood vaccinations are given has been simplified – with three vaccinations now being given at the same time.

This  means that less appointments are needed with  reduced stress to both children and their parents. The vaccinations for Meningitis,  Pneumococcal and the first MMR vaccination have been combined.

Lincoln Sargeant, Consultant in Public Health at NHS Cambridgeshire said:

"The more children that are vaccinated - the better the general rate of protection across the community - with less chance of other children catching an illness. We would therefore encourage every parent to ensure that their children are up to date with their childhood vaccinations."

There are six routine vaccinations that are free of charge on the NHS to all babies and children in the UK. These are as follows:

DTaP/IPV/Hib or 5-in-1 vaccine
This vaccination protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough),  polio and Hib (haemphilus influenza type B) and should be given at 2,3 and 4 months of age.

Pneumococcal (PCV)
This vaccination protects somne types of pneumococcal infection and should be given at 2,4 an 12-13 months of age

Meningitis C (MenC)
This vaccination protects against meningitis C (meningococcal type C) and should be given at 3 and 4 months of age

Hib/MenC (booster)
This vaccination protects against haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) and meningitis C and should be given at 12-13 months of age

MMR
This vaccine protects against measles,  mumps and rubella and should be given at 12-13 months and at 3 year and 4 months of age

DTaP/IPV (or dTaP/IPV)
Pre school booster Protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) and polio.

For more information visit: http://www.cambridgeshire.nhs.uk/Your-health/jabs-immunisations.htm