Your child will grow up with some protection against certain infections and diseases when they are born. This is due to maternal antibodies that are carried on to the foetus before birth and then passed on to the baby through breast milk after birth. However, the protection is only temporary in both circumstances.

Your child’s immune system is still developing, so he or she is susceptible to a variety of infections and disorders caused by pathogens such as bacteria or viruses. These can cause major health problems, including in the worst-case scenario, death. As a result, your child’s immune system will require additional support in order to fight and protect him or her from certain infections or diseases.

Typically, your child will need to be immunised before turning two years old and before starting school. To be adequately protected, your child may require many doses of immunizations at regular intervals.

1. Generally, immunisation is safe. However, it may cause mild side-effects like swelling or irritation at the injection site, temporary headache, low-grade fever, fatigue or loss of appetite, sore arms and legs and in some cases allergies.Bottom line: Immunisation protects your child from a host of serious infections or diseases and prevents the spread to other children. It is effective, can save lives and has minimal risk compared to the infections or diseases it prevents or protects your child from.
   No wonder immunisation has made many dangerous childhood diseases a rarity today!