Immunisation
Vaccination is the most effective thing done in a children's clinic, and the least dramatic. The schedule is set by age, the vaccines are stored in a monitored cold chain, and every dose is recorded on your card so nothing is repeated or missed. Children who have fallen behind can almost always be caught up.
- Monitored vaccine cold chain
- Catch-up schedules for missed doses
- Every dose recorded on your card
- Paediatrician available if a reaction occurs
Stay
Outpatient
Duration
About 15 minutes
Anaesthesia
Not applicable
About Immunisation
The childhood schedule protects against diseases that were common within living memory and are now rare precisely because of it. Doses are timed to when a child's immune system responds best and when they are most at risk, which is why the intervals matter. Mild fever or soreness for a day or two afterwards is expected and is a sign of the immune response, not a problem.
- Timing is set by immune response and risk, so intervals matter
- Mild fever and soreness afterwards are expected
- Missed doses can almost always be caught up without starting again
- Every dose is recorded, so nothing is duplicated
Before you read on
Everything here is general information about immunisation. Whether it suits you, and how it would be done in your case, is a decision for your doctor after examining you.
Your consultant's instructions always take precedence over anything written on this page.
When is it recommended?
Situations in which a doctor may suggest immunisation.
- Routine childhood immunisation from birth
- Children who have missed doses and need catching up
- Children arriving from another city or country
- Optional and travel vaccines
- Adolescent boosters
Procedure details
The usual sequence, from first consultation through to follow-up.
Checking the card
The immunisation record is reviewed against the child's age to confirm exactly what is due and what is not.
Brief examination
The child is checked to be well enough. A minor cold is not a reason to postpone; a significant fever usually is.
Giving the vaccine
Usually in the thigh for babies and the upper arm for older children. It takes seconds, and holding the child close helps considerably.
Observation and recording
A short wait afterwards, then the dose is recorded on your card with the next appointment written in.
How to prepare
What to sort out before you come in.
- Bring the immunisation card every time, as it is the record everything is planned from
- Tell the team about any reaction to a previous dose
- Mention any illness, fever or medication the child is currently on
- Dress the child in clothing that gives easy access to the thigh or upper arm
- Feeding a baby shortly before helps them settle
Recovery
What to expect afterwards, and roughly when.
- Mild fever, irritability and soreness at the site for a day or two is normal
- Paracetamol at the correct dose for weight helps if the child is uncomfortable
- A small firm lump at the injection site can persist for weeks and is harmless
- Return if there is a high fever, a spreading rash or unusual drowsiness
- The next appointment is written on the card before you leave
Why choose Humayun for immunisation
Vaccines are only as good as their storage and their record-keeping.
- A monitored cold chain, because a vaccine that has warmed does not work and nobody can tell by looking
- Catch-up schedules worked out properly rather than starting a child again from the beginning
- Every dose recorded on your card and in the hospital record
- A paediatrician available on site in the rare event of a reaction
Your Health Matters
Take the next step towards better healthcare.
Connect with our experienced specialists and find the right care for you and your family.
More in Paediatric Services
General Paediatric OPD
Outpatient consultations for children, covering everyday illness, growth, feeding and the worries parents bring.
Newborn Care
Examination and care of babies in the first weeks, covering feeding, jaundice, weight and the checks done before discharge.
Growth Monitoring
Regular measurement of weight, height and head size plotted on a growth chart, which is how problems are found early.
Developmental Assessment
Structured checks of movement, speech, social interaction and learning, so support can start early where it is needed.
Paediatric Emergency Care
Round-the-clock emergency assessment and treatment for children, by staff used to examining children.
Paediatric Inpatient Care
Ward admission for children who need intravenous treatment, oxygen or observation, with a parent staying throughout.
Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU)
Intensive care for newborns needing breathing support, feeding through a tube, or close monitoring in the first weeks.
Paediatric Intensive Care (PICU)
Intensive care for critically ill children needing organ support, continuous monitoring or ventilation.