National Immunisation Awareness Week

Wednesday, 6th August marks the start of National Immunisation Week in South Africa. Many of these vaccinations are given to children under the age of 11 and only need to be given once, so it is imperative that parents ensure that they get their children vaccinated against the most common and deadly childhood viruses to protect them and the children they are in contact with. Some people argue that it would be best for children to be allowed to contract a disease and therefore develop a natural immunisation which would then last for life; however the problem with this theory is that without access to top-notch medical care children infected with some of these diseases run the risk of far worse complications than they would run from potential vaccine side-effects.

No vaccine is totally without side effects but for all vaccine-preventable diseases the risk of complications with the natural infections is much greater than the risk of a serious adverse reaction following the vaccine, as long as the health care professional administering the vaccine is informed immediately of an adverse reaction it is better to risk the side-effects than the actual infection.

Examples of why timely immunisation is important in South Africa:
• In South Africa, 70% of cases of Haemophilus Influenza Type B diseases occur in children under the age of 1 year i.e. pneumonia, meningitis;
• 1 in 11 will die;
• Meningitis cases peaked at 7-12 months;
• Pneumonia cases peaked at 0-12 months,
• Thus proving that vaccines given, as soon as possible, after birth, are important. (SAMJ 2002, 1994).

The most common vaccines given in South Africa to children under the age of 11 are:
• Prevenar (Pneumococcal)
• Rotarix(Rotavirus)
• DTP (Diptheria, tetanus and Pertussis)
• Infarex Hexa (Diptheria, Tetanus, pertussus, Hepatitis B, Polio)
• Pentaxim (DTP and polio)
• Haeberviovac (Hep B)
• Rouvax (Measles)
• Trimovax (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
• Priorix (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
• Infarix (Diptheria,Tetanus, Pertussis)
• TD Polio (Tetanus, diphtheria, polio)
• Diftavax (Tetas, diphtheria)
• Avaxim 80(Hepatitis A)
• Mencivax (Meningitis)
• Engerix B (Hepatitis B)

Immunisation is very effective in preventing and reducing the impact of serious illness. Some diseases such as smallpox have been completely wiped out, and it is hoped that others, such as polio and measles, will soon be destroyed. However, if people are not vaccinated, these diseases could return.

For more information on this and other important health related issues visit www.clicks.co.za or visit your nearest Clicks Clinic to arrange an appointment to discuss which vaccinations are needed for your family.