1. Vaccines and Immunisations
Claire Bowe Registered Nurse, Non Medical Prescriber

2. A vaccine is a biological preparation that improves immunity to a particular disease (WHO, 2016).

3. Vaccines employ innocuous forms of the disease agent, usually from a killed or weakened bacteria or virus, which stimulate antibody production.

4. A few vaccines employ live bacteria
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)

5. 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)

6. 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

7. Flu Vaccine It is quick, painless and works immediately
It protects against 4 strains of flu
Non of the ingredients cause flu

8. Flu Vaccine It is contra indicated in children with:
Severely weakened immune systems
Severe egg allergies
Severe asthma

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. Chicken Pox Vaccine Side effects: Mild rash Sore site
Requires 2 doses 4 to 8 weeks apart

13. MMR
It is given as part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule due to the severe long term side effects of the diseases

14. 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

15. Pneumococcal Vaccine
Prevenaar (PPC, Pneumo Conjugate vaccine) is used in the under 2’s
It protects against 13 strains of Pneumococcal bacterium

16. 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

17. 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

18. Palivizumab (Synagis)
It is very costly
It is given according to strict guidelines
Healthcare professionals have to apply for funding