Becoming a new parent is both exhilarating and overwhelming. The flood of information and advice from family, friends, and even well-meaning strangers (yes, I’m looking at you, lady at the shop!) can be daunting. Whether its decisions around when to start solids, to breast or bottle feed or vaccinations, sorting through the mountain of information, much of which may be unreliable, can leave many parents feeling bewildered. The thought of seeing your baby get a needle in those chubby little legs and hearing their cries can feel unsettling.
But as parents, we want to do everything in our power to keep our children healthy and safe. Vaccinations are one of the most effective ways to protect them against diseases. It might seem like just another item on an already long to-do list and something that can be postponed until they’re older and stronger. However, it’s critical to understand that vaccines are most effective when administered at a young age, a time when children are most at risk of serious infectious diseases. Here’s a deeper look at vaccines for certain diseases such as meningococcal disease, measles, whooping cough (pertussis), and haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).
Meningococcal Disease
Meningococcal disease is serious and can progress rapidly. Caused by a bacterium, it can lead to severe conditions like meningitis (an infection of the brain and spinal cord) or septicaemia (a serious bloodstream infection). Some symptoms of this disease to watch for include fever, headache, neck stiffness, drowsiness and muscle pain. An important symptom seen later on is a rash of red or purple pinprick spots which do not disappear when you press on it. These symptoms can be frightening to witness and they escalate very quickly, sometimes within hours. Infants, young children, adolescents and young adults are at the highest risk. The bacteria spreads through respiratory secretions, such as coughing, sneezing, or even kissing. Fortunately, there is a free vaccine available for all children aged 12 months old and for Year 10 students. This vaccine offers strong protection against these life-threatening infections.
Measles
Although measles might seem like a disease of the past, recent years have seen a troubling resurgence, especially in travel hotspots like Europe and Asia. Measles is one of the most easily spread diseases in the world. The virus can remain active in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours. It spreads easily through contact with nose or throat secretions, such as from coughing or sneezing, or even by inhaling air previously breathed by someone with measles. Symptoms of measles include a fever, cough, feeling unwell, conjunctivitis and white spots in the mouth (Koplik spots). A later symptom is a red, blotchy rash which generally starts on the head and spreads down to the rest of body, usually lasting 4 to 7 days.
Measles can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, blindness, and encephalitis (brain inflammation). Fortunately, getting vaccinated is a straightforward solution: Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine offers 99% protection against measles, mumps, and rubella.
Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
Whooping cough (or pertussis) is another serious and highly contagious disease that can be deadly for babies. It begins with cold-like symptoms and develops into severe coughing fits. Babies under six months are particularly vulnerable and can be so severely affected that they don’t cough at all — instead, they might stop breathing and turn blue. Vaccination is crucial to protect them from this potentially deadly disease. Since the first whooping cough vaccine can’t be administered until a baby is six weeks old, it’s important for pregnant women, their partners, grandparents, and anyone in close contact with the baby to have up-to-date whooping cough vaccinations (dTpa) to help protect the newborn.
Haemophilus Influenzae Type b (Hib)
Despite its name, haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is not related to influenza (the flu) at all. Hib bacteria can cause severe infections, including meningitis, sepsis, and epiglottitis (an infection of the windpipe). Depending on which parts of the body is affected, symptoms of Hib may include headache, fever, drowsiness, cough or breathing difficulties. Even after treatment, complications such as hearing loss, seizures, loss of limbs, and learning disabilities can occur. Hib spreads easily through sneezing and coughing, similarly to colds and flu. Healthy people can carry Hib bacteria without showing symptoms and spread it to others. Immunisation is the best defence against Hib infection and is part of routine childhood vaccinations to ensure that babies and children are protected from an early age.
Navigating the world of vaccinations can feel overwhelming, but ensuring your child receives the recommended vaccines is a crucial step in protecting their health. These vaccines safeguard against serious diseases and help keep our communities healthy. By staying informed and keeping up with vaccinations, you’re making an important commitment to your child’s well-being and overall safety.
To learn more about the immunisation schedule and the diseases these vaccines protect against, visit immunisation.health.wa.gov.au.
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