What is Immunization? Immunization is a process that helps your body fight off diseases caused by certain viruses and bacteria. One way for you to be immunized is to receive a vaccine. What is a Vaccine? A vaccine is a liquid made from germs or parts of germs such as viruses and bacteria. The germs in vaccines are either killed or weakened so they won t make you sick. Vaccines are usually given to people by needle. Which Diseases Should My Child Be Protected Against? Hepatitis B is caused by a virus that infects the liver. It is spread from person to person through contact with infected blood and body fluids. Half the people infected with this virus may not know they have it. Sometimes this illness may cause liver cancer and other serious liver problems. Diphtheria is caused by bacteria that infect the nose and throat. These bacteria release a poison that may cause breathing problems, heart failure and paralysis. Diphtheria is spread like a cold, by coughing and sneezing. Pertussis (Whooping Cough) is caused by bacteria and begins like a cold. These bacteria may cause severe coughing, choking, whooping and vomiting spells that can last for weeks or months, and may even cause death. The highest risk of death from pertussis occurs in babies under six months of age. Pertussis is spread like a cold, by coughing and sneezing. Tetanus is caused by bacteria found in dirt, rust, dust, manure and human stool. When these bacteria get into an open cut, they can cause muscle spasms, convulsions and death. Haemophilus influenzae type b is caused by bacteria. It can cause infections of the lining around the spinal cord and brain (meningitis) and other problems of the nervous system. These bacteria can also cause pneumonia, swelling in the lower part of the throat, deafness and death. Haemophilus influenzae type b is spread like a cold, by coughing and sneezing. Polio is caused by a virus. It may cause paralysis and, occasionally, death. The polio virus can be found in an infected person s stool and throat. Pneumococcal disease is caused by bacteria and can cause serious illness and death. Pneumococcal infection can cause pneumococcal meningitis, pneumonia, infections of the middle ear and bloodstream. It can also lead to other health problems including deafness and brain
damage. Pneumococcal disease is thought to be spread through coughing and sneezing. Measles is caused by a virus. It can cause a rash, high fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes. Measles can last for one or two weeks. It can also cause swelling of the brain, pneumonia, convulsions, deafness, brain damage and death. Measles is spread like a cold, by coughing and sneezing. Mumps is caused by a virus. It can cause fever, headache, and swollen painful cheeks and neck. It can also cause deafness, infections of the lining around the spinal cord and brain (meningitis), and sterility. Mumps is spread like a cold, by coughing and sneezing. Rubella (German measles) is caused by a virus. It can cause fever and a rash. Rubella usually lasts for less than a week. Rubella is spread like a cold, by coughing and sneezing. If a pregnant woman who has never had rubella or the vaccine is infected with this virus in the first half of her pregnancy, she could have a miscarriage. Her baby could be born with cataracts, deafness, heart defects and brain damage. Before you become pregnant, ask your doctor if you need this vaccine. Varicella (Chickenpox) is caused by a virus. It can cause a low fever and an itchy rash. The rash starts as small red bumps that become fluid-filled, break and form scabs. It usually takes 7-10 days from the beginning of chickenpox until the last of the rash crusts over. Chickenpox is spread like a cold, by coughing and sneezing and also by contact with fluid from the chickenpox blisters. Chickenpox is usually mild, but it can be more serious. It can lead to severe skin infection, scars, pneumonia, brain damage or death. Meningococcal (Meningitis) disease is caused by bacteria. It can cause meningitis (infection of the lining around the brain and spinal cord) or infection of the blood and can be life threatening. It is spread by direct contact with the saliva of an infected person through activities such as kissing, sharing eating utensils, coughing and sneezing. Why say Yes to Vaccines? By saying yes, you are helping to protect your child against the diseases described above. Vaccines are safe and effective. They offer good protection and have very little risk of serious side effects. The risks and dangers of the disease are always many times greater than any possible risk from the vaccine. No vaccine can guarantee your child will be fully protected against any contagious disease. Fighting diseases by vaccinating is team work. If you or other parents choose not to take part, your child and the whole team can lose its fight against vaccine preventable diseases.
What Questions Will I Be Asked Before My Child Gets A Vaccine? You will be asked: If you have read and understood the information in this pamphlet; If you have any questions about the vaccines your child is going to receive; If your child is healthy today; If your child has any underlying medical conditions; If your child has allergies (people who are severely allergic to any part of the vaccine will not be able to receive the vaccine); If your child has received vaccines in the past (you will need to bring your child s immunization card with you to the clinic); and How your child reacted after his/her previous needles. When Should My Child Get the Vaccines? Your child should get these vaccines at the following times: Routine Immunization Schedule Age DTaP-P/Hib DTaP-P Hep B Conj Pneumo 1 MMR Varicella 2 Conj MenC 3 TdaP 4 Td Birth 2 mos 4 mos 6 mos 12 mos 18 mos 4-6 yrs 14-16 yrs Every 10 yrs 1. Born 2005 and later 2. Born 2003 and later 3. Born 2003 and later 4. Grade 9 students DTaP-P/HIB: Diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine DTaP-P: Diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, polio vaccine Hep B: Hepatitis B vaccine Conj Pneumo: Conjugated pneumococcal vaccine MMR: Measles, mumps, rubella vaccine Varicella: Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine Conj MenC: Conjugated meningococcal type C vaccine TdaP: Tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis vaccine Td: Tetanus, diphtheria vaccine
What Could Happen To My Child After Getting A Vaccine? After getting a vaccine your child may: Have a fever; Be cranky or fussy; Be sleepy; Have an upset stomach and may vomit; Have a sore, red, swollen spot at the place where the needle was given; Limp for a couple of days if the vaccine was given in the leg; and Have a small lump at the place where the needle was given. This lump may last for a few weeks. Remember that these reactions are normal and usually only last for a couple of days! If My Child Has A Reaction To A Vaccine, What Can I Do? Here are some things you can do that might make your child feel better after receiving a vaccine: Hold and cuddle your child. Give your child acetaminophen (e.g. Tempra or Tylenol ) right after the vaccine is given. A second dose should be given four hours later and a third dose, four hours after that. Young children should not be given ASA (Aspirin ), unless your doctor says it is OK. If your child has a fever, undress the child and give lots to drink. Continue giving acetaminophen every four hours, giving no more than 5 doses per day (24 hours). You may wish to call your doctor if your child s fever does not go down, or does not go away in two days. Put a cold cloth over the place where the needle was given. Are There More Serious Reactions To Vaccines? There is a small chance that children may have a more serious reaction. After getting a vaccine, your child may have a high fever of 39.4 Celsius (103 Fahrenheit) or higher. A high fever can sometimes cause seizures. Even though these seizures would be very frightening, they do not cause epilepsy or brain damage. If your child has a serious reaction, you should call your doctor at once, or go to the emergency room at the hospital, or to a walk-in clinic. Call your Public Health office and tell a nurse what happened.
There is a very rare chance of a serious allergic reaction after swallowing a pill, eating certain foods, or getting a vaccine. Some allergic reactions could lead to death if not treated immediately. This is why we ask you to wait after getting a vaccine. If an allergic reaction happens, we can give your child the immediate care he or she needs to stop the reaction. More Information About Your Child s Vaccines Diphtheria, Tetanus, acellular Pertussis, Polio & Haemophilus influenzae type b (DTaP-P/Hib): For every 100 children who get all of the DTaP-P/Hib vaccines, about 99 of them will be protected against polio, tetanus, and diphtheria. For every 100 children who get all of the DTaP-P/Hib vaccines, about 90 of them will be protected against Haemophilus influenza type B. For every 100 children who get all of the DTaP-P/Hib vaccines, about 85 of them will be protected against pertussis. Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine For every 100 children who get pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, about 97 of them will be protected from invasive pneumococcal disease. Measles, Mumps, & Rubella Vaccine (MMR) This vaccine should not be given to people: Who have problems with their immune system; Who have had a blood transfusion or were given other types of blood products within the last three to ten months; Who have had a live vaccine (such as chickenpox vaccine) within the last month. However, it is all right to have an immunization with another live vaccine on the same day as the MMR immunization; Who are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant within the next month. For every 100 children who get two doses of the MMR vaccine, about 99 of them will be protected against measles, mumps and rubella. Five to 12 days after receiving this vaccine, your child may have a rash and fever. This can last for one to two days. On rare occasions, your child may have a sore throat, headache, swollen joints, swollen testicles, swelling of the glands in the neck and cheeks, deafness, or bruising of the skin.
In very rare cases a child may have inflammation of the brain (encephalitis). The risk of encephalitis from the disease is a 1,000 times greater than the risk from the vaccine. Varicella (chickenpox) Vaccine This vaccine should not be given to people: Who have problems with their immune systems. Who are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant within the next month. Who have had a live vaccine (such as measles, mumps, rubella vaccine) within the last month. However, it is all right to have an immunization with another live vaccine on the same day as the chickenpox immunization. Who have had a blood transfusion or were given other types of blood products within the last three to ten months. People who have had chickenpox or chickenpox vaccine before. They likely already have protection. For every 100 children who get varicella vaccine, about 97 of them will be protected from chickenpox. Vaccinated people who do get chickenpox have milder illness. One to two weeks after receiving the vaccine, your child may get a mild fever and a few chickenpox-like spots. Meningococcal C Conjugate vaccine For every 100 children who get Meningococcal C conjugate vaccine, 90-95 of them will be protected from Meningococcal type C disease. Hepatitis B Vaccine (Hep.B) For every 100 people under 19 years of age who get hepatitis B vaccine, about 99 of them will be protected against hepatitis B. Is My Child Required by Law To Have Vaccines? Yes. Before your child starts school in New Brunswick, it is required by law (Education Act) that proof of the immunizations required under the Public Health Act be provided. The law allows you to refuse based on medical reasons or reasons of religious belief or conscience. For more information contact your local Public Health office. CNB-3680 2/2006