The Hamptons Day Nursery | Health

The purpose of immunisation is to prepare our body to fight against diseases in case we come into contact with them. To do this immunisation gives the body a modified, but not dangerous, form of a bacteria, virus or toxin to 'alert' the immune system to it. Therefore if the infection is encountered later in life, the body is already prepared to act against it. For example, when your child is immunised against polio the immune system is stimulated into producing antibodies against the disease. Therefore, if your child comes into contact with polio their body will have produced the antibodies to fight it.

There are several immunisations that your child should have and below is the schedule for routine childhood immunisations in the United Kingdom. It is in accordance with the recommendations given in Immunisation Against Infectious Disease (1996) HMSO, also known as 'The Green Book'.

When is the immunisation due?	Which immunisation?	Type
At two months	Polio	By mouth
	Hib:- Diphtheria Tetanus Whooping cough (pertussis)	One injection
	MenC	One injection
At three months	Polio	By mouth
	Hib:- Diphtheria Tetanus Whooping cough	One injection
	MenC	One injection
At four months	Polio	By mouth
	Hib:- Diphtheria Tetanus Whooping cough	One injection
	MenC	One injection
At 12 to 15 months	Measles Mumps Rubella	One injection
3 to 5 years (usually before the child starts school)	Measles Mumps Rubella	One injection
	Diphtheria Tetanus	One injection
	Polio	By mouth
10 to 14 years (sometimes shortly after birth)	BCG (tuberculosis)	Skin test followed by one injection
School leavers 13 to 18 years	Diphtheria Tetanus	One injection
School leavers 13 to 18 years	Polio	By mouth

This information has been sourced from Health Promotion England

Alternatives to immunisation

In the UK parents can choose whether to have their children immunised. Children who are not immunised run a risk of catching diseases and having complications. Immunisation is the safest way to protect your child.

Having children immunised at an early age means they are well protected by the time they start playgroup or school where they are in contact with lots of children. If you have any doubts or questions about immunisation, talk to your health visitor, practice nurse or doctor.

No, there is no proven, effective alternative to conventional immunisation. Homoeopathic medicine has been tried as an alternative to the whooping cough vaccine but it was not effective. The Council of the Faculty of Homoeopathy (the registered organisation for doctors qualified in homoeopathy) advises parents to have their children immunised with conventional vaccines.