how vaccines protect children

Pat Troop describes how the UK vaccination programme protects children

how vaccines protect children | help and info

When children are given an injection (vaccine) it ensures they are protected from infections that have the ability to cause unpleasant and sometimes serious disease. These injections work by putting a small amount of a weakened or killed germ into the body which then allows the child to build immunity against that particular bug. This means that the next time the child comes into contact with that particular germ they will be protected against it and won't suffer any illness as a result.

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Vaccinating children in this way is one of the most effective ways of stopping children from contracting serious or life threatening diseases and is one of the great medical successes in recent years. As a result of vaccinations like this, deaths from diseases such as measles, whooping cough, meningococcal C (Men C) and tetanus have dropped dramatically and in some cases are rarely heard of.

avoid problems before they start

why meningitis C is no longer such a threat to children

Vaccination against meningitis C has undoubtedly saved numerous lives and prevented many children from suffering severe illness. Meningitis causes inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord and can have long term complications such as hearing loss, language disorders and mental retardation; or blood poisoning, lung infection or permanent damage to the joints One patient in 10 with Men C infection will die. Before the vaccine was introduced 36% of all meningococcal meningitis was caused by meningococcal C. The UK was the first country in the world to introduce a vaccination suitable for young children in November 1999. Since then the disease has been dramatically reduced by up to 90% in 15-17 year olds and 82% in infants under the age of one year. All under 25-year-olds are now vaccinated to ensure they are all protected against this disease.

Meningitis C vaccine used to be given to children at two, three and four months of age. However, last year new evidence showed that the effects of the vaccine started to wear off after a year. To ensure children are well protected in their first two years of life when their risk of infection is highest children are now offered the vaccine at 3 and 4 months of age with a booster dose at one year.

However important the Men C vaccine is, it is important to understand that it does not protect against other types meningococcal disease such as Meningococcal B disease now responsible for the majority of meningococcal infections, so it is crucial that people remain alert to the signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease. Work is currently being undertaken to develop a Meningitis B vaccine.

meningitis – what to look out for

Symptoms can develop very quickly, so it is important for everyone to look out for and to be prepared to take prompt action when meningitis is suspected. If you suspect meningitis contact your GP immediately. If your GP is not available, go straight to your nearest accident and emergency department.

Early symptoms, which are not always present, may include:

• A rash that doesn't fade when pressed with a glass (due to bleeding under the skin)
• Sudden onset of high fever
• A severe and worsening headache
• Stiff neck
• Vomiting
• Joint and muscle pain
• Dislike of bright lights (photophobia)
• Very cold hands and feet
• Drowsiness that can deteriorate into fever.

protecting children against pneumococcal infection

Since September 2006 all children have been offered vaccination against another potentially life threatening disease – pneumococcal infection.

When the bugs that cause pneumococcal infection enter the bloodstream (invasive pneumococcal disease) they can cause serious illnesses such as meningitis, septicaemia (blood poisoning) and pneumonia. Approximately 5000 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease occur in England and Wales each year, around 530 of these are in children under two years and about a third are cases of pneumococcal meningitis. Around 50 children under two years old lose their lives from serious pneumococcal infections in England and Wales each year.

In the United States this vaccine has already had an immense impact. Since its introduction there, cases in young children caused by pneumococcal meningitis have fallen by 94%. The Health Protection Agency will be looking closely at the effect this vaccination has on children's health in this country to ensure this vaccine, and others are protecting children's health in the most effective way.

(May 2007)

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