
Immunisation is the most effective way to actively
protect your child from preventable diseases, such as whooping
cough, tetanus, hepatitis B and measles.
The first time we are exposed to a germ, for example a bacterium
or virus, it takes time for the immune system to respond and we
become unwell. However, once the body has memory of the infection,
the immune system is able to respond rapidly to destroy the germ
the next time we are exposed preventing us from getting sick.
Vaccines contain parts of or weakened versions (inactivated or
attenuated) of a particular germ, which are unable to cause
disease. Vaccination exposes the body to the germ for the first
time without causing disease, and subsequently, when the real germ
infects the body, it is able to be rapidly destroyed preventing
disease.
Very young children are particularly at risk of becoming sick,
because their immune system lacks experience and is unable respond
quickly. Many of the diseases that immunisation protects us from
are very serious in young children. Some, for example measles, are
highly contagious and usually fairly mild, but pose a risk of
serious complications even in healthy people. Immunisation is the
safest and most effective way to provide protection for your
child's health.
The National Immunisation Schedule provides the best protection
for our children when they are most at risk. From six weeks
of age, children can be protected from several potentially
dangerous diseases. It is very important to stick to the schedule -
not immunising your child increases the risk of them getting the
infection, and not keeping up to date reduces the protection that
the immunisation can provide. It takes a few months and repeated
doses of a vaccine for an infant to be fully protected.
How well does immunisation work?
Immunisation works very well to help to prevent a wide range of
serious diseases. Sometimes it does not provide complete
protection, however this case, an immunised person is likely to get
the disease less severely than someone who is not immunised. This
is because the body is still able respond rapidly.
No question is too silly. Free phone line 0800 IMMUNE
(0800 466 863) to talk to health professionals at the Immunisation
Advisory Centre, which is part of Auckland University.
Give your child the best protection possible against preventable
disease and immunise. Talk to your GP or practice nurse today.
After ensuring that people have sufficient food, access to clean
water and adequate housing; immunisation is one of the most
effective ways of protecting and improving the health of the
population.
This remains as true today as it has been over the last
century. Improving living conditions and health services can
reduce the impact of infectious diseases; only immunisation can
eradicate them, examples are the eradication of smallpox and
significant progress in eradicating polio.
For more information on immunisation, visit:
Last updated:
January 31, 2019