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Signposting expectant parents, parents of babies (0-12 months), and professionals to current evidence-based guidance
Frequent Questions Parents Have About Their Baby aged 0 to 12 Months
NHS Immunisations, BCG, Measles, Travel Immunisations and when to offer Paracetamol to your Baby
NHS vaccination schedule
Please click and follow the link below for up to date guidance. Signposted from BHC, containing public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Travel Immunisations NHS Guidelines
Please click and follow the link below for up to date guidance. Signposted from BHC, containing public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
BCG vaccine for tuberculosis (TB) NHS Guidelines
Please click and follow the link below for up to date guidance. Signposted from BHC, containing public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine
Please click and follow the link below for up to date guidance. Signposted from BHC, containing public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Paracetamol after Immunisations and Tips for Parents.
As stated in NHS (20240 and NHS ():
Immunisations Tips
● Take your personal child health record (PCHR) Red Book to vaccination appointments.
● Inform the practice or clinic if someone else is bringing your baby for vaccinations.
● Dress your baby in easily removable clothing. When you baby is older dress your child in loose or short sleeves.
● Stay calm during the vaccination.
● Comfort your baby throughout and when older explain to your child what's going to happen in simple terms.
● Ask your nurse on what is the best position to hold your baby depending on the injection site.
● Do not rush to the appointment.
● Feel free to discuss any concerns with the nurse or doctor.
● Your baby or child may cry briefly after a vaccination.
● The injection site can be sore and red for 2-3 days.
● Some babies may feel irritable, unwell, or develop a fever.
If your baby has a fever:
Ensure they are not overdressed.
Keep them hydrated.
MenB Vaccine Schedule:
● 8 weeks
● 16 weeks
● 1 year old
as part of the NHS schedule.
MenB Vaccine Side Effects:
● Possible side effects include swelling or pain at the injection site, high temperature, tiredness, irritability, loss of appetite, and diarrhoea.
● These side effects typically improve within 1-2 days.
*** To prevent or treat a fever after MenB vaccinations at 8 and 16 weeks, give your baby 3 doses of paracetamol.
● First dose: as soon as possible after vaccination.
● Second dose: 4-6 hours later.
● Third dose: 4-6 hours after the second dose.
● Ensure at least 4 hours between each dose and do not exceed 4 doses in 24 hours.
*** Urgent Advice / Seek urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if your child:
● Is under 3 months old with a temperature of 38C or higher.
● Is 3 to 6 months old with a temperature of 39C or higher.
● Still has a high temperature more than 48 hours after the MenB vaccination.
● Is unwell and you are concerned.
*** Allergic Reactions:
● Serious allergic reactions to vaccinations are very rare and typically occur within minutes.
● The person vaccinating your child is trained to handle and treat allergic reactions immediately.
● Consult a GP or call NHS 111 if you are concerned about your child's reaction to a vaccination.
Sources:
NHS (2024). Vaccination tips for parents. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/vaccination-tips-for-parents/ (Accessed: 3 June 2024).
NHS (2024). MenB vaccine. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/menb-vaccine/#:~:text=You'll%20need%20to%20give,to%206%20hours%20after%20that (Accessed: 3 June 2024).
Please click and follow the link below for further up to date guidance. Signposted from BHC, containing public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Immunisations Tips
● Take your personal child health record (PCHR) Red Book to vaccination appointments.
● Inform the practice or clinic if someone else is bringing your baby for vaccinations.
● Dress your baby in easily removable clothing. When you baby is older dress your child in loose or short sleeves.
● Stay calm during the vaccination.
● Comfort your baby throughout and when older explain to your child what's going to happen in simple terms.
● Ask your nurse on what is the best position to hold your baby depending on the injection site.
● Do not rush to the appointment.
● Feel free to discuss any concerns with the nurse or doctor.
● Your baby or child may cry briefly after a vaccination.
● The injection site can be sore and red for 2-3 days.
● Some babies may feel irritable, unwell, or develop a fever.
If your baby has a fever:
Ensure they are not overdressed.
Keep them hydrated.
MenB Vaccine Schedule:
● 8 weeks
● 16 weeks
● 1 year old
as part of the NHS schedule.
MenB Vaccine Side Effects:
● Possible side effects include swelling or pain at the injection site, high temperature, tiredness, irritability, loss of appetite, and diarrhoea.
● These side effects typically improve within 1-2 days.
*** To prevent or treat a fever after MenB vaccinations at 8 and 16 weeks, give your baby 3 doses of paracetamol.
● First dose: as soon as possible after vaccination.
● Second dose: 4-6 hours later.
● Third dose: 4-6 hours after the second dose.
● Ensure at least 4 hours between each dose and do not exceed 4 doses in 24 hours.
*** Urgent Advice / Seek urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if your child:
● Is under 3 months old with a temperature of 38C or higher.
● Is 3 to 6 months old with a temperature of 39C or higher.
● Still has a high temperature more than 48 hours after the MenB vaccination.
● Is unwell and you are concerned.
*** Allergic Reactions:
● Serious allergic reactions to vaccinations are very rare and typically occur within minutes.
● The person vaccinating your child is trained to handle and treat allergic reactions immediately.
● Consult a GP or call NHS 111 if you are concerned about your child's reaction to a vaccination.
Sources:
NHS (2024). Vaccination tips for parents. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/vaccination-tips-for-parents/ (Accessed: 3 June 2024).
NHS (2024). MenB vaccine. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/menb-vaccine/#:~:text=You'll%20need%20to%20give,to%206%20hours%20after%20that (Accessed: 3 June 2024).
Please click and follow the link below for further up to date guidance. Signposted from BHC, containing public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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Sleepy Baby
Baby Lying Down
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