Scheduled Vaccines

2,4 Immunisations Infanrix hexa, prevenar 13, rotarix
The immunisations that are given at 2 and 4 months protect against rotavirus,  polio, whooping cough, hepatitis B, tetanus, diphtheria  haemophilus B and pneumococcus. These last two cause pneumonia and meningitis. There are two needles in total.   The rotavirus vaccine is given as an oral preparation. Rotavirus is the leading cause of serious gastroenteritis in children.

6 Immunisations Infanrix hexa. Influenza (recommended)
There is only one scheduled needle, and this is another  immunisation against  polio, whooping cough, hepatitis B, tetanus, diphtheria  and haemophilus B.  Influenza is funded for all children from 6 months to 5 years in Victoria.

A word about Influenza

Recommended for all children and funded in Victoria for those aged between 6 months and 5 years.  Two doses are required in the first year, then annually afterwards.  If given at 6 months, a second dose should be given not earlier than 4 weeks later.

12 months immunisations. MMR, Nimenrix, Prevenar
There are three needles.  The first is  include measles mumps rubella, MMR, and the second is a new meningitis vaccine for serotypes  ACWY and the third is prevenar 13.   The MMR vaccine can sometimes cause a mild rash and fever 7 – 10 days afterwards. The meningitis and prevenar vaccines can cause low grade temperature and headache.

18 months Immunisation.  MMRV, Infanrix, ActHib

There are three needles. The first is  Measles-Mumps-rubella-chickenpox (Priorix -tetra or Proquad).  The second is Diptheria-tetanus-pertussis (infanrix or Tripacel) and the third is ActHib, a final haemophilus B injection.  It is recommended to have a second chicken pox, one month later but this is a private vaccine.

A word about chicken pox

Chicken Pox is usually a mild disease in healthy children. However, it is sometimes severe or even fatal.

In Australia the government only fund one dose.  However the immunisation guidelines suggest two doses and in other countries of the World two doses are given.  So to get the second dose a script needs to be obtained from your doctor and the vaccine picked up from the chemist.  This should be given no sooner that 4 weeks after the first dose.  The reason for the second dose is to ensure 100% protection.  After only one dose there is 85% protection.

Side effects of chicken pox vaccine ?
The vaccines are very well tolerated. Occasionally fever or local reactions occur. A mild, maculopapular or vesicular rash (usually 2 to 5 spots) occurs in about 5% of children. This occurs most commonly at the site of the injection, but may be generalised. It usually happens 10 to 21 days after vaccination.

The 4yo vaccination consists of diptheria-tetanus-pertussis-polio (infanrix IPV)