Orphans and Vulnerable Children - CRIN

Immunisation

Handout 2 - Module 3 Topic 4

Immunisation is when a child is given a vaccine that is either injected into the body or

swallowed to protect against certain serious preventable diseases that can cause

deaths in children.

The following are the immunisable diseases in most African countries: Measles,

poliomyelitis, whooping cough, tetanus, tuberculosis, diphtheria, Hepatitis B,

Haemophilus Influenzae type B, yellow fever.

All children need to be immunised

 All children under one year need to be immunised. Half of the deaths

from the nine diseases occur before the age of one year. Those children who

are older and who are not fully immunised, should still be vaccinated.

 Infants must complete the full course of immunisation, or the vaccine may not

work. The parent/guardian must take the child to be vaccinated at least four

times to be able to complete the immunisation. A baby cannot be fully

immunised against all the diseases in one visit to the clinic.

 Caregivers should not be afraid of having their children immunised.

The vaccines are safe and effective.

 A child who is not immunised may get measles or tuberculosis.

These diseases can kill children. Even if they survive them, they will be

weakened and may not develop properly.

 A child who is not immunised could get the disease and infect other children.

Even sick children should be immunised

 It is safe to immunise sick children. One of the main reasons why children are

not brought for immunisation is that they have a fever or a cough, but this

should not prevent them from receiving their immunisations.

 All children should be vaccinated, even when they are sick. The healthcare

worker will check if there are any reasons why a child should not be

vaccinated.

(^330) Appendix 1, Handouts Guide to Mobilising and Strengthening Community-Led Care for Orphans and Vulnerable Children