Baby vaccinations and immunisations: everything you need to know

Baby vaccinations play an important part in laying the foundations for your child’s lifelong health, protecting them against serious infection and disease.

In fact, the World Health Organisation says: ‘The two public health interventions that have had the greatest impact on the world’s health are clean water and vaccines'1.Vaccinations are very safe, but it is understandable that you may have concerns. In this article we’ll help you to feel prepared and answer some common questions.

smiling-mother-with-baby

quick explanation

Learn about baby vaccinations & immunisations, including why your baby needs them, how they work and what to expect on the day.

stage

0-12

months

reading time

5

minutes

Passive and active immunity

Your baby’s immunity starts to build during pregnancy, as your antibodies are passed through the placenta2. Breastfeeding continues this important process, but the protective effect from your antibodies is only short-lived. This ‘passive immunity’ gives your baby a fantastic start but will not protect them against serious illness over the long term3. To be protected they need to start creating their own antibodies; this is called ‘active immunity’3. Babies born prematurely or by caesarean can have a lower ‘passive immunity’, making vaccination even more critical4.

How do vaccines work?

Vaccinations help your baby to build up lifelong immunity by enabling their body to create its own antibodies against specific serious diseases or infections. Vaccines give your baby small, manageable doses of the bacteria or virus it will protect them against. This stimulates their immune system, teaching it how to fight off the illness in the future.5

molecule

"The protective effect from your antibodies is only short-lived3"

Baby vaccination schedule

Your baby’s immunisations are given on a schedule that starts when they are eight weeks old and continues at defined intervals throughout their childhood8. This schedule is important because it delivers the right dose for your baby’s age and ensures there are no gaps in their protection. Your doctor’s surgery or health clinic will send you your baby’s appointments automatically. These vaccinations are free through the HSE & Ireland.

How are vaccines given to my baby?

Vaccines are given as single or combined dose injections and administered orally as drops, or through nasal sprays6. Injections will usually be given into your baby’s thigh and then into their upper arm once they are a year old6

Single-dose vaccines include meningitis B (MenB), rotavirus and pneumococcal vaccine (PCV)6. Rotavirus is given orally using a dropper7. Flu vaccines, which are delivered through a nasal spray, will be offered to your baby when they are two years old8.
Combined vaccinations include: DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB. This stands for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b and hepatitis B. Also known as the ‘6-in-1’ vaccine, it is given in one injection6.

baby vaccination

What happens on the day?

Your healthcare professional will check that your baby is well before proceeding with the vaccinations. Be sure to let them know if your baby has a fever, diarrhoea or has been ill, as they may decide to delay for a few days.

You may have to remove your baby’s clothing, so dress them in clothes that are easy to take on and off9

You will be able to cuddle your baby on your lap during the appointment but be prepared for some crying after injections. Remember, it’ll be over very quickly. They’ll soon forget all about it and you are building up their immunity to protect them.

If you are calm and positive, your baby will feel reassured. Take a favourite toy or treat with you to distract them. Some health centres give stickers and certificates for bravery to older babies and toddlers too.

toddler at the doctor

"If you are calm and positive about vaccinations, your baby will feel reassured.7"

What are the side effects of vaccines in babies?

It is unusual for babies to experience side-effects after a vaccination although occasionally babies show mild side effects within 24 hours of receiving a vaccination. Side effects include fever and some swelling and redness around the site of infection.  There is no need to worry if your baby experiences these side-effects will not cause any harm to your little one as they will subside within a few days. If you are worried or if your baby is showing more severe symptoms contact your Health Care Professional.

If you would like more information please visit the HSE website here.

Are vaccines really necessary? No one gets these illnesses anymore.

It’s easy to think that some diseases are so rare that your baby doesn’t need to be vaccinated against them, but this rarity is the positive result of national immunisation programmes5. It only takes one outbreak in unvaccinated babies for a disease to make a comeback5. Your grandparents may remember when some of these deadly illnesses were commonplace. But ultimately, vaccination is the parent’s choice. If you have any questions or doubts, talk to your GP or healthcare professional before your baby’s first appointment.

Next steps

  • Look out for your appointment letter. Vaccinations usually take place in your local GP surgery or health centre and the first one is at eight weeks. Read about the immunisation schedule for their first year.
  • Talk through any worries you may have with your healthcare professional before the appointment.
  • Take your child’s red book with you, so that the immunisations can be recorded.
  • Pack a bag with toys, spare clothes and nappies in case your appointment is delayed.
  • Stay calm and positive throughout the appointment as it will reassure your baby.

Your baby's future health begins here

At Aptaclub, we believe that experience helps to build resilience; and that each new encounter, whether in pregnancy or after birth, can shape your baby’s future development. With our scientific expertise and one-to-one round the clock support, we can help you and your baby embrace tomorrow.

mom and baby

Get in touch with our Careline experts

Our nutritionists and feeding advisors are always on hand to talk about feeding your baby. So if you have a question, just get in touch

  1. Bedford H. Childhood immunisation: Achievements and challenges [Online]. 2011. Available at: http://www.who.int/global_health_histories/seminars/presentation53a.pdf  [Accessed: November 2020]
  2. Fouda GG, Martinez DR, Swamy GK, Permar SR. The Impact of IgG transplacental transfer on early life immunity. Immunohorizons. 2018;2(1):14-25. doi:10.4049/immunohorizons.1700057
  3. Nunes MC, Cutland CL, Jones S, et al. Duration of Infant Protection Against Influenza Illness Conferred by Maternal Immunization: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Pediatr. 2016;170(9):840-847. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2016.0921
  4. Melville JM, Moss TJ. The immune consequences of preterm birth. Front Neurosci. 2013;7:79. Published 2013 May 21. doi:10.3389/fnins.2013.00079
  5. NHS. Why vaccination is safe and important [Online]. 2020. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/why-vaccination-is-safe-and-important/ [Accessed November 2020]
  6. NHS. A guide to immunisation for babies born on or after the 1 January 2020 [Online]. 2020. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-guide-to-immunisations-for-babies-up-to-13-months-of-age [Accessed November 2020]
  7. NHS. Rotavirus vaccine overview [Online]. 2020. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/rotavirus-vaccine/ [Accessed November 2020]
  8. NHS. Children's flu vaccine [Online]. 2020. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/child-flu-vaccine/ [Accessed November 2020]
  9. NHS. Vaccination tips for parents [Online]. 2019. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/vaccination-appointment-tips-for-parents/ [Accessed November 2020

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