Vaccines is a topic on all of us Moms lips, because it's something we have to face as soon as our baby comes earth side. We decided to chat to Sr Sally who is a registered nurse, and who has specialised in babies for the last 12 years. She has her own baby clinic, and offers both Private and Government stock - so is able to answer all the vaccine-questions we have been wondering.
Read our Interview with Sr Sally below, and find out more about her at the end.
Sr Sally, do you recommend every parent vaccinate their child and why?
The simplest answer is yes. The first vaccine was developed in 1797 against smallpox (which is now thankfully eradicated). Vaccines are safe and very effective in protecting the body against disease. A vaccination prevents disease, very serious illness, admission to hospital and even long-lasting damage that some illness brings. Vaccines must be held to the highest standard of safety. Prior to their approval by the health authorities, vaccines are tested extensively to ensure they are effective and safe. Once in use, they are also continually monitored for safety through our pharmacovigilance system.
Once your child is injected, the vaccine introduces a weakened form of a virus or bacteria into the body. The body then starts making antibodies against this specific disease. If a real virus or bacteria enters the body, it is recognised by the defence system which may eliminate it. Vaccines enhance your body’s natural defences, without causing illness.
I am behind on my child’s vaccines, can I still vaccine them?
It is preferable to stick to the recommended schedule, however sometimes life just happens and we fall behind. There are 2 vaccines we cannot do over a certain age, that is the BCG (TB) vaccine and the Rotavirus oral drops. The BCG vaccine is done at birth and cannot be given to children over the age of 1 year. The maximum age for the Rotavirus drops is 6 or 8 months, depending on which brand you use (there are 2). All other vaccines can be caught up, and your clinic sister is able to assist you with that. If you are unsure, you can also call the Vaccine Helpline on 0860 160 160.
If a child is sick when its time to go for their next vaccination can they still go?
I prefer for children to be relatively healthy at the time they receive their vaccinations and generally vaccines can be pushed out by a week or so. However, in saying this, the only time we delay vaccines is for the following reasons:
Fever over 38 degrees Celsius
High cortisone doses
If the child has received blood products or immunoglobulins in the last 3 months
Snotty nose, mild diarrhoea, low grade fever and antibiotics are not a reason to delay vaccines.
A child’s immune system is able to respond to millions of antigens every day. Antigens are things like bacteria and viruses that cause your child’s body to produce antibodies against them. Vaccines have only a tiny fraction of the antigens that children encounter naturally. So, the immune system can handle getting vaccines to build immunity to diseases and fight minor illnesses at the same time.
Vaccines do not make symptoms of illness worse—though they may cause mild side effects, like a mild fever, or soreness and swelling where the injection was given.
Should parents give pain medication straight after their vaccines?
No. Giving paracetamol to prevent a fever is not recommended as it can prevent the vaccine from working as well it should. The general recommendation is to wait 6 hours after the vaccine, and if the baby or child is really niggly or gets a temperature over 38.5 degrees Celsius then you can give. The clinic sister will tell you the exact amount to give if needed, according to your baby’s weight.
What is the best way to hold or comfort my baby during a vaccine?
I prefer moms/caregivers to hold the baby or child on their lap. If the mom is breastfeeding this really helps, and some babies don’t even feel the injection when they are being breastfed while we give it. If the child is a little older, a bit of distraction really helps! Right after the vaccine, pick your child up, place them over your shoulder and give them plenty cuddles, or their bottle. I never let a mom leave unless the baby is calm and happy!
What is the difference between private and government vaccines?
There essentially is no difference in the vaccines used, except that there are more given in the private sector. The vaccines used are exactly the same at birth, 6,10,14 weeks and 6 months as well as 18 months. The vaccines that aren’t available in the government sector are Chicken Pox, Measles Mumps Rubella vaccine, Hepatitis A and the Meningogoccal Meningitis vaccine.
I have attached a schedule which highlights this easier.
These “other” vaccines are available from private facilities and range from R220-R750. They can be slotted in amongst the standard vaccines on the government program.
Sister Sally is a Registered nurse and Midwife who completed her degree with honours at the University of Johannesburg in 2006. She has worked solely with babies for the last 12 years and having 3 small children herself (7, 5 and 3 yrs), is really equipped to deal with everything baby related. She is currently studying to be a Lactation Consultant. Her Baby Clinic is situated at Mediwell Dainfern, JHB in Dainfern Square Shopping centre and is open Monday to Thursday.
She can assist with weekly weigh-ins, developmental progress, advice with regards to weaning onto solids, stimulation ideas, government and private vaccinations and can also help with issues around breastfeeding and latching. She works closely with a lot of infant specialists such as paediatricians, occupational therapists, baby chiropractors, neuro-developmental physiotherapists, dietitians and General Practitioners to give baby all they need to a healthy and holistic little life! Sr Sally also offers Governement stock, for a much more affordable option.
Find Sr Sally's Baby Clinic on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/noobebebabyclinic/, or call to make a booking today https://www.mediwell.co.za/contact/.
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