Vaccination Calendar During The First Year

Newborn babies are already protected against several diseases, such as measles, mumps and rubella, because antibodies have passed to them from their mothers via the placenta. This is called passive immunity, but usually only lasts for a few weeks or months. Vaccinations provide long-term immunity to numerous diseases, which is why they are so important for the baby’s health, his proper growth and development.

You should not worry about having your baby vaccinated. Vaccines work by making us produce antibodies to fight disease without actually infecting us with the disease. Next time your child comes into contact with the disease itself, their immune system will recognize it and produce the antibodies they need to fight it.

Every country issues its’ own calendar of preventive vaccinations, and your doctor will advise you which vaccinations your baby needs and when.

The National preventive vaccination calendar includes the following illness vaccinations:

Hepatitis B

Tuberculosis

Diphtheria

Whooping-cough

Tetanus

Polio

Measles

Rubella

Parotitis

Hemophiliac infection

Flu

Pneumococcus infection

Before the vaccination, you must visit your pediatrician who will examine your baby.

During the visit you should be prepared for your pediatrician to ask you several questions about your baby’s health e.g. Did he catch a cold a few days before the vaccination; did you give him any medication?