A high level of uptake of immunizations is important to ensure both protection for the individual and also, in some diseases, herd immunity. Immunization is  a  vaccine that is introduced into your body in order to stimulate an immune response against a specific viral or bacterial microorganism.

After that immune response has matured, if you are ever exposed to that microorganism again, you should be protected from the infection and either not get the disease or at most get a mild case. Immunization enable your body to become immune to a disease without ever having the illness.

General immunization guidelines

• Immunizations should not be given at a younger age than indicated in the schedule.
• Vaccines which require repeat immunization should not be given at shorter intervals than indicated.
• If for any reason a child misses an immunization or immunizations, it should be given at a later stage. There is no need to restart the course.
• Immunizations should not be given if a child is acutely unwell with fever.
• Immunizations should not be given if there has been anaphylaxis following a previous dose of the same vaccine.
• Live attenuated vaccines (e.g. measles, mumps, rubella, BCG) should not be given to immunod eficient children such as those on cytotoxic therapy or high-dose steroids because of the risk of severe generalized infection.

• Which immunize your baby has had – especially if something happens in the future when they are older.
• The injection will be given in the baby’s upper thigh not the bottom or arm. Once your child is over one year of age, injections may be given in the arm.