Immunisation

A childhood diseases and their vaccinations

Diphtheria
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
Measles
Mumps
Polio
Rubella
Tetanus
Whooping cough (pertussis)

The Health Ministry recommends childhood immunisations for 10 infectious diseases in all. The BCG (which protects against tuberculosis) and hepatitis B immunisations are offered to babies at birth. The others are offered routinely to every baby as part of the pre-school immunisation programme. Read on to find out more about these immunisations and the diseases they protect against.

Diphtheria
Diphtheria mainly affects the throat. It is spread by droplets from the nose or mouth and, if complications set in, it can cause breathing difficulties, damage to the heart and nervous system or even death. The incubation period is from two to six days.
Babies are offered the immunisation at eight, 12 and 20 weeks of age and it is given by an injection which also contains the tetanus, whooping cough, polio and Hib vaccines. It is given again before starting school and also at 12 years.

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
The Hib organism causes flu-like symptoms such as sore throat, chest infections and ear infections. But complications, such as meningitis or blockages of the throat (epiglottitis), can set in and it was for this reason that the vaccine was introduced.
Babies are offered the immunisation at eight, 12 and 20 weeks of age. It is given by injection. These injections also contain the diphtheria, tetanus, polio and whooping cough vaccines (DTaP/IPV/Hib). It is given again at around 18 months.

Measles
Measles used to be the commonest childhood illness. It is highly infectious, has an incubation period of 10 days and infection occurs by droplets from the mouth or nose. It may start like a bad cold with lots of catarrh and a temperature. The rash generally appears after two days. Complications are relatively common and include bronchitis, bronchiolitis, ear infections and croup. In rare cases, there can be serious complications affecting the nervous system, such as encephalitis.
Children are offered the measles vaccine at around 12 months. It is given via an injection known as the MMR, which also contains the mumps and rubella vaccines. A pre-school booster immunisation is also given between four and six years of age.

Mumps
Mumps is a viral illness, which may cause considerable swelling around the cheeks and neck. The incubation period is from 14 to 21 days. Complications can include meningitis, deafness, encephalitis and inflammation of the testes in boys, which may permanently damage fertility.
Children are offered the mumps vaccine at around 12 months. It is given via an injection known as the MMR, which also contains the measles and rubella vaccines. A pre-school booster is also given.

Polio
The polio virus attacks nerve tissue in the brain and spinal cord and can sometimes cause paralysis. It is still very common in some developing countries, but rare in Malaysia. It is spread by contact with the faeces, mucus or saliva of an infected person. The incubation period varies between three and 21 days.
The polio vaccine is included in the DTaP/IPV/Hib injection, which also contains diphtheria, tetanus, Hib and whooping cough vaccines. It is given to babies at eight, 12 and 20 weeks. It is given again at 18 months and also in a preschool booster. Your child will have the final booster at 12 years of age.

Rubella
Rubella is generally a mild illness in children causing a fever, a rash and swollen glands. It has a long incubation period of 14 to 21 days and complications for the child itself are rare. However, if a woman contracts rubella in the first eight to 10 weeks of pregnancy the effects on her unborn baby can be very serious: babies can be born with deafness, blindness, heart problems and/or brain damage.
Children are offered the rubella vaccine at 12 months. It is given as part of the MMR vaccination, which also contains the mumps and measles vaccines. A pre-school booster is also given.

Tetanus
The symptoms of tetanus (sometimes called lockjaw) are painful spasms of muscle contraction. The disease can be fatal. It can have a long incubation period of four to 21 days. The organism is found in soil and dirty wounds may be infected. It can also be caught through animal bites. Farm workers and gardeners are particularly susceptible to it.
Your child will be offered this immunisation a total of six times. It is given at eight, 12 and 20 weeks. It is given in an injection that also contains the diphtheria, whooping cough, polio and Hib vaccines. It is then given at 18 months; then between four and six years; and finally, at 12 years of age.

Whooping cough (pertussis)
This very infectious disease is transmitted by droplets from the nose or mouth. The incubation period is from seven to 10 days. It starts in the same way as a cold, but as it progresses, the spasms of coughing become more and more severe. The "whoop" occurs as the child draws breath between bouts of coughing. These distressing symptoms can go on for several weeks. Severe cases may be complicated by pneumonia, vomiting and weight loss and, more rarely, by brain damage and death. Young babies are most at risk.
Babies are offered the immunisation at eight, 12 and 20 weeks of age. It is given by injection, which also contains the diphtheria, tetanus, polio and Hib immunisations. It is also given in a preschool booster. The final booster is offered at 12 years of age.