Why now is the time to ensure your child’s immunisation is up to date
A short visit to the clinic could help shield your child from serious illness and keep them healthy throughout the school year - and it doesn’t have to cost a cent.
From classrooms to crèches, kids are constantly exposed to new germs. Keeping their immunisations up to date helps protect them from serious illnesses like whooping cough, diphtheria and tetanus. Here’s why that’s crucial.
Why immunisation matters
When babies are young, immunisations help train their immune systems to fight dangerous diseases. But this protection doesn’t last forever and immunity can fade over time. That’s why booster doses are needed at school age, not just in infancy.
If your child misses a booster, they may not be fully protected, even if they appear perfectly healthy.
What can happen if a child is not immunised?
- Diphtheria can cause symptoms such as difficulty breathing or swallowing. It spreads from person to person and can damage the heart and nerves.
- Tetanus enters the body through cuts or wounds and can lead to painful muscle stiffness, lockjaw and trouble breathing. In severe cases, it can be fatal.
- Whooping cough causes long, painful coughing fits that can last for weeks. Babies and young children may struggle to breathe, vomit after coughing, or in severe cases briefly stop breathing.
How to check if your child’s immunization is up to date
Check their Road-to-Health booklet or clinic card to see when last they had their immunisations. If you are not sure what the dates mean, the nurses at the clinic can help you understand them. If your child is behind, they can be given the missed doses.
If you have lost the card, do not panic. You can go to your nearest primary healthcare clinic and ask for a replacement and they will help you rebuild your child’s record.
Where to go for help
- Government clinics offer free, routine childhood immunisations as part of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation.
- Some schools also offer school immunisation days, especially for children who may have missed earlier doses.
Find out more by visiting Sanofi South Africa.
For more on health – visit Get it Magazine.
