There is a different schedule of immunization times from country to country and there is a good case to be made for delaying immunization against diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus until the second half of the first year of life in children in industrialized countries. The reasons for this are as follows. First, infections of these diseases are rare in babies under 6 months in developed countries, and second, the presence of natural antibodies masks the antigenic effect of certain vaccines. If a mother has immunity to a disease she will usually transmit it to her baby. This interferes with the effectiveness of the vaccines if given in the first three months of life. Most natural antibodies disappear over the first few months of life but measles antibodies from the mother can protect the baby up to one year old. This is one reason why measles vaccine is not given until the second year of life. The third reason is that young babies are not immunologically mature and do not respond to antigens by producing antibodies in the normal way. Lastly, reactions to vaccines are more common in very young babies. Not only are reactions to vaccines unfortunate for the baby in whom they occur but the bad news spreads and makes other parents less likely to immunize their children.
Immunization against the five diseases outlined above not only protects the child who is immunized but also reduces the risk within your family if you have another child later. A new baby is always at risk from infections carried by older children, and if your older children are immunized your baby will be at less risk. Every vaccine is hazardous to some people in certain conditions. The danger or inconvenience of such reactions has to be weighed against the dangers to life and health if the baby subsequently suffers from the disease itself. Normally reactions are minimal or non-existent, but babies who come from allergic families need special care. Discuss the whole subject with your doctor before having your baby vaccinated if the baby: has had a reaction to a previous vaccination; is sensitive to egg; has just had or is recovering from any illness; is sensitive to antibiotics; is taking any medicines; has fits; or comes from an allergic family.
Here is a recommended schedule of routine immunizations that will suit most people.
During the first year of life
Combined diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and oral polio vaccine-a second dose is given 6-8 weeks after the first, and a third dose follows after a six months’ gap.
The earliest the first dose can be given is at about three months but it is better to wait until 6 months in order to get the best immunological response in the baby.
During the second year of life
Measles vaccine. Delaying this vaccination until the third year reduces the risk of occasional severe reactions which occur in children under the age of 3.
A booster dose of diphtheria/tetanus/ whooping cough/polio vaccine.
Between the ages of 10 and 13
BCG vaccination to all those shown by the skin test to need this protection against tuberculosis.
All girls ages 11-13
Rubella (German measles) vaccination. This should be offered to girls whether or not they have a history of German measles, to ensure that they enter their childbearing years protected against this disease which, if caught early in pregnancy, can produce such devastating effects on the unborn baby. Be sure to leave at least a month between the BCG and rubella vaccinations.
On leaving school
Polio vaccine and tetanus toxoid booster. The tetanus booster should then be repeated every ten years throughout adulthood to be safe.
Vaccinations against influenza and infectious diseases you are likely to come into contact with when travelling abroad should be discussed with your doctor. Remember that polio and ÒÂ are still very common worldwide, even in relatively advanced countries. Be sure to keep your vaccination levels of these up if you are travelling anywhere other than to highly westernized cities.
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