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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