Immunisation

Diphtheria

Diphtheria can:

cause breathing problems

damage the heart and nervous system

and, in severe cases, can kill.

Tetanus

Caused when germs found in soil get into the body through open cuts and burns,

Tetanus affects the nervous system and can be fatal.

Whooping cough (pertussis)

Whooping cough can cause long bouts of coughing, choking and breathing difficulties and lasts for up to ten weeks. 

Though not usually serious in older children, it can kill babies under one year old.

Polio

Polio is a virus that attacks the nervous system and can permanently paralyse the muscles.

It can kill if it affects the chest muscles or the brain.

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)

Hib is an infection that can lead to a number of major illnesses such as blood poisoning, pneumonia and meningitis and can be fatal.

There are many types of meningitis – the Hib vaccine protects only against the type of meningitis caused by the Hib b bacteria.

Pneumococcal infection

This infection can lead to serious illnesses including pneumonia and meningitis.

Meningitis C

This vaccine protects against some forms of meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning).

Measles, mumps and rubella - MMR

Measles, mumps and rubella can be mild but all three diseases can have severe complications.

Complications of measles affect one in every 15 children who catch the infection and include chest infections, fits, encephalitis (infection of the brain), brain damage and death.

Complications of mumps include deafness, viral meningitis, encephalitis and swelling of the testicles or ovaries.

Rubella (German measles) is very serious for unborn babies as it can seriously damage their sight, hearing, heart and brain.

Cervical cancer –

HPV vaccine;

usually given to girls aged 12 to 13 years old.

This vaccine protects against cervical cancer caused by some types of the human papillomavirus.

Tuberculosis -

BCG vaccine;

given to babies and others more likely to come into contact with tuberculosis than the general population

The most common form of TB in the UK affects the lungs, but it can affect other parts of the body such as the bones, joints and kidneys.

It can also cause meningitis.

Hepatitis B –

given only to babies whose mothers have hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus.

It can cause inflammation (swelling) of the liver, and sometimes significant liver damage.