Download Vaccines and Immunisations

Vaccines and Immunisations
Claire Bowe Registered Nurse,
Non Medical Prescriber
A vaccine is a biological preparation that improves immunity to a
particular disease (WHO, 2016).
Vaccines employ innocuous forms of the disease agent, usually from a
killed or weakened bacteria or virus, which stimulate antibody
production.
A few vaccines employ live bacteria. The bacteria is weakened but not
destroyed. These are:
• Chicken pox/shingles vaccines
• MMR
• BCG
• Yellow Fever
• Fluenz Tetra (Nasal spray)
Flu Vaccine
• The live nasal spray flu vaccines will be offered to:
- Children 2 to 4 years and all year 1, 2 and 3 children in school.
(Some areas are piloting and will give to all primary school children)
- Children aged 2 to 17 with long term health problems
• It is not suitable for children under 2 years of age
(They will receive the injection)
Flu Vaccine
Few side effects are seen, mainly a runny nose for a few days.
Children respond better to the nasal spray as opposed to the injection
Flu Vaccine
• It is quick, painless and works immediately
• It protects against 4 strains of flu
• Non of the ingredients cause flu
Flu Vaccine
It is contra indicated in children with:
• Severely weakened immune systems
• Severe egg allergies
• Severe asthma
Meningitis C
• This vaccine has been so successful that it is no longer required at 12
weeks of age
• It is given at 1 years of age
Meningitis B
• This vaccine is given at 8 and 16 weeks of age
• It is reactive so can cause pain at the site of injection
Chicken Pox Vaccine
• This vaccine protects against Varicella Zoster virus
• It is not part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule
• May be offered to siblings of children with severe immuno
suppression and non immune healthcare workers
Chicken Pox Vaccine
Side effects:
• Mild rash
• Sore site
• Requires 2 doses 4 to 8 weeks apart
MMR
• It is given as part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule due
to the severe long term side effects of the diseases
Live Vaccines
• These give stronger immunity which is often life long, however a
severely immuno suppressed child may not produce antibodies
rapidly enough and so could develop the disease
Pneumococcal Vaccine
• Prevenaar (PPC, Pneumo Conjugate vaccine) is used in the under 2’s
• It protects against 13 strains of Pneumococcal bacterium
Pneumococcal Vaccine
• Pneumovac (PPV, pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine) is not
suitable for the under 2’s
• It protects against 23 strains of Pneumococcal bacterium
• It is 50 to 70% effective
• The vaccine is given every 5 years to children with underlying health
problems
Palivizumab (Synagis)
• Is a monoclonal antibody
• It offers short term immunity (28 to 30 days) against respiratory
syncytial virus
• It is administered every 4 weeks from October to February
• It is usually only given in the 1st year of life
Palivizumab (Synagis)
• It is very costly
• It is given according to strict guidelines
• Healthcare professionals have to apply for funding