OPTIONAL CHILDHOOD VACCINATIONS

1. Hepatitis A Vaccine

The Hepatitis A virus (HAV) causes acute hepatitis (inflammation of the liver).  Symptoms of acute hepatitis include fever, jaundice, nausea, abdominal cramps and occasionally death.  The virus is spread via the oro-faecal route ie. via eating of food contaminated with the HAV.  This is the virus that can be caught by eating improperly cooked contaminated cockles (commonly confused with the Hepatitis B virus which is transmitted from contaminated blood and intercourse).   

Dose:
2 doses given 6 months apart.

Common Side Effects:
Mild fever, headaches and swelling over injection site.

2. Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae Type B) Vaccine

H. Influenzae type B is a bacteria which is responsible for millions of deaths worldwide through meningitis and pneumonia.  It affects mainly children under the age of five, with those between four and eighteen months being particularly vulnerable. It leaves up to 35% of survivors with permanent disabilities such as mental retardation or deafness.

Dose:
3 Primary doses at ages 3, 4 and 5 months, followed by 1 Booster dose at 18 months.  It is usually given as one of the components of the 4-in-1, 5-in-1 and 6-in-1 vaccination.

Common Side Effects:
Redness and swelling over the site of injection.