Once a child is born, it is vulnerable to infections. By immunising your child against a range of potentially serious diseases you’re not only providing protection for him or her, but also for other children by helping to prevent the spread of infections into the wider community.
How does immunisation work?
Babies in the womb receive antibodies from their mothers. These antibodies remain in your child’s bloodstream for some time after they are born, but soon become less effective. This is why babies are first vaccinated at 2 months old and then at regular intervals throughout infancy – and why it is vital that you follow the Immunisation Timetable.
Immunisation is when a vaccine is injected into the bloodstream to help protect the body from infection. This prompts the body to produce antibodies which will fight any future infection. The immune system then learns to recognise an invading disease and quickly produce the correct antibodies to destroy or neutralise toxins and organisms carrying the disease.
It’s a beautifully simple process and is so successful that some diseases have been eradicated, such as smallpox. However, infections still lurk waiting to infect unprotected children, so it is vital to ensure your child is vaccinated.