In the part 1, we have looked at what immunization is and the available vaccines. If you have not read that, I will encourage you to do so. Immunization saves lives and prevent millions of deaths every year. In this Part 2, I will address the common questions Mums have asked about immunizations.
This is very important as many mums despite knowing the importance of immunizations have decided not to have their children immunized based on some wrong perception about immunizations which I hope we will be able to address. Others because of previous personal or heard-of bad experience after a child was immunized have promised themselves not to have anything to do with Immunization; depriving themselves of the numerous benefits of immunization. I hope that if you fall in that category, you will change your mind. Here are real questions Mums have asked and simple straightforward answers to them.
Question: Pls on immunization, why do the private hospitals in Nigeria give more than the government centers/hospitals?
This is a very good and important question. There are many vaccines that are available to prevent certain diseases in childhood as I listed in Part 1. However, in Nigeria, not all these vaccines are included in the Nigerian National Programme on Immunization (NPI). The NPI vaccines are provided free by the Government. However, there are other vaccines which are also very important and available in the country in the some private hospital and even some Government Hospitals and centres but at a cost.
The NPI vaccines and their schedule are as follows:
⦁ At birth……BCG, OPV, HBV
⦁ 6 weeks…..Penta, OPV
⦁ 10 weeks…Penta; OPV
⦁ 14 weeks…Penta, OPV
⦁ 9 months…Measles, yellow fever
⦁ Vitamin A recommended every 6 months from age 6 months to 5years
NB: Penta vaccine is Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenza type B (HiB) vaccines (5 in 1) in one shot (already pre-formulated).
Non-NPI vaccines are:
- Mumps,Measles and Rubella (MMR) Vaccine
- Varicella (Chicken pox) vaccine
- Hepatitis A vaccine
- Human Papillomavirus vaccine
There are different schedules for the non-NPI vaccines depending on the Centre. The most common/popular schedules for the NPI vaccines are;
- MMR – First dose at 12 – 15 months; Second dose at 4 – 6 years
- Varicella vaccine – usually from age 2 years
- Human Papillomavirus vaccine – given from age 9 years to both boys and girls.
Question: My baby is fifteen months old and she was immunized according to the NPI schedules, stopped at 9 months. Can she still collect the other vaccines remaining for her immunization to be complete, thanks?
Related Question: I saw that these are not in NPI: PCV, Rotavirus vaccine, MMR, Meningoccocal, chicken pox vaccine. My son is 29 months. Which one of them can he is still go for? And where can I get them in Lagos?
The issue of completing missed immunizations or what is technically referred to as “Catch-up immunizations” is very important. This is because it is not just a straight forward answer of just taking whatever you have missed! The number of doses of a vaccine that will be taken varies depending on the vaccine(s) that was/were missed; as well as the age of the child as at the time the missed vaccines is/are about to be administered.
The best bet is to ask your Paediatrician what and how many doses and the intervals for taking the missed vaccines. Since the Non-NPI vaccines are usually the ones most Nigerian mums are concerned about when it comes to catch-up, I will state the general guidelines as regards catch-up immunizations for non-NPI vaccines.
Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Minimum age: 12 months for routine vaccination. 2-dose series of MMR vaccine at ages 12 – 15 months and 4 – 6 years. The second dose may be administered before age 4 years, provided at least 4 weeks have elapsed since the first dose. All school-aged children and adolescents have had 2 doses of MMR vaccine; the minimum interval between the 2 doses is 4 weeks
Varicella (VAR) vaccine
Minimum age: 12 months; routine vaccination: 2-dose series of VAR vaccine at ages 12 – 15 months and 4 -6 years. The second dose may be administered before age 4 years, provided at least 3 months have elapsed since the first dose. If the second dose was administered at least 4 weeks after the first dose, it can be accepted as valid. All persons aged 7 – 18 years without evidence of immunity have 2 doses of varicella vaccine. For children aged 7 – 12 years, the recommended minimum interval between doses is 3 months (if the second dose was administered at least 4 weeks after the first dose, it can be accepted as valid); for persons aged 13 years and older, the minimum interval between doses is 4 weeks.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines.
Minimum age: 9 years for HPV2 [Cervarix] and HPV4 [Gardasil]). Routine vaccination: 3-dose series of HPV vaccine are administered on a schedule of 0, 1-2, and 6 months to all adolescents aged 11 through 12 years. Either HPV4 or HPV2 may be used for females, and only HPV4 may be used for males. The vaccine series may be started at age 9 years. Administer the vaccine series to females (either HPV2 or HPV4) and males (HPV4) at age 13 through 18 years if not previously vaccinated (same as routine).
Question: my baby was given the 6wks immunization today. But since we got back he has been crying profusely I have given him paracetamol, what else should I do?
The 6, 10 and 14 weeks shot’s main side effect is fever. You can give the paracetamol every 6 hours for 2 -3 days. However, make sure you are given the right dose based on your baby’s weight. From experience, most mums who got immunization at health centres usually just give one size fit all dose of paracetamol which is often not the adequate dose for their babies after the immunization. This also contributes to the persistence of the fever. To be sure of the right dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Question: After the 6 week shot, I observed the injection site is swollen and red. My baby cries anytime his leg is touched what can I do?
The DPT or Penta injection is usually given deep into the muscles. One of the side effects is swollen/red injection site due to some mild bleeding into the muscle. It needs to be properly managed so it does not become infected and turn into an abscess. The simple treatment is to apply ice pack or small piece of ice block wrapped in handkerchief on it intermittently for the first 2 -3 days. It will go down. Also avoid too much handling of the affected limb as the site is usually sore. It should resolve in 2 – 3 days but if it persists and/or become bigger and soft with pus inside – that is an abscess, pls go back to the Hospital or Health Centre do it can be drained and additional treatment including antibiotics will be given.
Question: Is Vitamin A also an immunization?
Related:I think I gave my 1yr 3mth old overdose of Vit A immunization that is I took it 2mths apart. Any negative effects?
Vitamin A Supplementation is not technically immunization even though it has been incorporated into the NPI. It aims to prevent Vitamin A deficiency in the children. Vitamin A deficiency is the single most -preventable cause of blindness.
It is usually given every 6 months till age 5 years. This is because Vitamin A can be stored in the body and one dose can last that long – up to six months before another dose is needed. Also, many everyday food like flour, sugar, butter are also now fortified with Vitamin A.
As regards the second part of the question; I say DO NOT PANIC! Mistakes can happen. It is very unlikely for your baby to have any serious effects. So relax. However Vitamin A is one of the fat soluble vitamins which get stored in the body unlike the B and C Vitamins which are removed from the body in the urine when in excess. Vitamin A when too much in the body can cause serious symptoms like headache, vomiting from what we call in medical jargon Hypervitaminosis. I seriously doubt that the doses over 2 months given, though should be 6 months apart, will have accumulated to cause serious side effects. So skip the next dose. If you observe, any strange symptoms though, see your Paediatrician.
Question: Please is hepatitis A vaccine very important? Because I was told if I have given Hepatitis B I really don’t the Hepatitis A vaccine for my baby. She is 18 months 3 weeks.
Hepatitis B vaccine prevents Hepatitis B virus infections otherwise called HBV. HBV can cause serious liver problems including cancer in future if one is infected. Hepatitis A vaccine prevents Hepatitis A virus infection which is not something very serious and doesn’t have long-term complications. Hep A vaccine is not as compulsory as HBV is very compulsory for children. Taking one of them doesn’t do the job of the other.
The best way to prevent hepatitis A is through vaccination with the hepatitis A vaccine. Vaccination is recommended for all children age 12 months and older, for travelers to certain countries, and for people at high risk for infection with the virus. The hepatitis A vaccine is given as two shots, six months apart. The hepatitis A vaccine also comes in a combination form, containing both hepatitis A and B vaccine, that can be given to persons 18 years of age and older. This form is given as three shots, over a period of six months or as three shots over one month and a booster shot at 12 months. FOR CHILDREN The first dose should be given at 12-23 months of age. Children who are not vaccinated by two years of age can be vaccinated at later visits.
Question: My baby has fever with the 6 weeks immunization. Am I supposed to administer paracetamol before going for next immunization (10weeks). When should I start and the dosage?
The paracetamol should be given immediately AFTER the immunization especially if s/he develops a fever. Sometimes, with subsequent vaccination, the child may not have a fever at all, there will be no need to give the paracetamol. So give one dose first AFTER the vaccination and if no subsequent fever, you can stop.
The dose of the Paracetamol depends on what the baby’s weight. If you’re not sure what to give and can not get a doctor or pharmacist to tell you, give according to the dosage recommendation on the paracetamol bottle or pack. Don’t worry though, the second and third vaccinations of DPT are usually not as stressful to the baby as the first one but you still need to take same precautions.
My 34 months old daughter was given the BCG vaccine some days after she was born. but the issue is that the blister never showed. I know i felt a hard lump at the point it was given some weeks after, but the lump dissolved so she doesn’t have the scar that many babies have. is this normal?
Related: My son’s BCG scar was bringing out pores I complained to d doctor and he said its normal…later it dried up and was OK….is that actually normal?
BCG immunization is usually associated with formation of what is called a BCG scar usually after 6 weeks. The BCG scar is usually inspected and the formation of the scar is one evidence of the successful immunization. Remember from Part 1 the difference between Vaccination and Immunization?
However, sometimes some babies do not have BCG scar after 6 weeks. There are different possibilities. It could be that the BCG is given too deep into the muscle instead of into the skin. It is also possible to be immunized without the BCG scar. To confirm if the child has developed immunity despite no BCG scar, a mantoux test will be done. If there is a level of reaction expected for someone who has had BCG, then the mum is just reassured. If there is no reaction after 72 hours, the child will have to be vaccinated again with the BCG vaccine again as long as child is healthy and has not yet developed Tuberculosis (a normal Chest Xray may be needed at times).
Yes, it is possible for the BCG immunization site to develop an abscess which may discharge pus. It will eventually heal and form a scar. If you are not sure what to do, please see your paediatrician.
Question: Why are immunization shots in Nigeria generally painful for the children? Does it have anything to do with the needle?
Immunization shots are generally painful anywhere in the world. However, in some places even in Nigeria a cream to make it less painful called EMLA cream can be applied.
Question: Why do the healthcare workers tell you to give paracetamol before the shot?
We do not administer Paracetamol BEFORE but AFTER the shot. It has to do with reducing fever associated with some vaccines side effects especially the PENTA or DPT. We don’t have to give paracetamol to the children for every immunization. Many don’t know this especially at our health centres hence their practice of giving Paracetamol at all immunizations, not necessary or compulsory. It should be AFTER not BEFORE the vaccine is administered.
Question: Why is panda specifically recommended? Does it have a component the likes of calpol and other pcms don’t have? I am asking from personal experience where you are told to give pcm, I gave 5ml of calpol to my almost 7weeks old baby after the DPT shot but the fever didn’t break till I gave him panda
Really??? NO ONE EVER SAID IT MUST BE PANDA! Any brand of Paracetamol is acceptable!
PANDA, CALPOL,TYENOL, PANADOL, ACETAMINOPHEN ETC are all PARACETAMOL!!!
Your experience must have been a coincidence unless the Calpol is fake (anything is possible in Nigeria) and your 7 weeks should not be taking 5ml paracetamol……Next time get your doctor or Paediatrician to work out the dose based on your son’s weight. As enlightened mum too, please read instructions on the bottle or the insert about a medication before you administer it. You need to know the constituents, dose, side effects etc and if the instruction given by your health worker contradicts that of the leaflet, seek clarification. Make sure you get reasonable explanation for any deviation before you accept it. This is important!!! That is why Female education is very important….it is one of the child survival strategies.
Question: Is it possible for an awareness to be created about the others not in the NPI?
We are trying to do that as Paediatricians and we are even taking it a step further to get the Govt to approve and include all the currently non-NPI ones in the NPI….the PENTA is one of the success stories that now include HiB. HBV also was not part of NPI until 2004. Already works are on-going on including the Pneumococcal vaccine….so rest assured we will get there.
Question: Pls ma, enlighten me on the Rotavirus and Pneumococcal congate vaccine (PCV). My 8months old son took 1 dosage @6wks and yet to complete the others. Any consequencies for not taking the remaining doses of the vaccines? Reason for not completing is the cost involvement.
I quite understand the challenge of taking the Non-NPI vaccines as they are very expensive.
As regards the Rotavirus vaccine, since your baby is already 8 months, he does not qualify again for Rotarix. It protects against Rotavirus infection which usually is the most common cause of diarrhoea and vomitting in infants. The peak onset of Rotavirus infection is age 6 -11months. Your child may have diarrhoea from Rotavirus infection or other micro-organisms but it can be managed.
The PCV is however more important because Pneumonia can still affect children even up to age 5 years and is one of the greatest cause of deaths of children in this age group. Try and see if you can still take the remaining PCV doses.
Question: Please how do one handle an immunization on a 14 weeks old baby that is not dissolving. It is hard and strong as if it wants to turn to abcess. I am so heartbroken when he cries as a result of the ice block we are using to dissolve the hardness
There is no need to do anything except keep applying the ice-pack if it is still painful otherwise just leave it alone. It is the bleeding into the muscle and it will resolve on its own as the body reabsorb the bleed.
Question: My son is 25 months already so I guess the rotavirus is out of it. But which one is for preventing mumps? Heard it is taken when the child starts to talk so it doesn’t impede his speech.
The vaccine for preventing Mumps is the MMR. It is given at 12 – 15 months with a booster dose at 4 – 6 years. It however has nothing to do with speech development in children.
Thanks for reading and I hope you did find answers to your worries and concerns about immunizations. However, should you still have questions or concerns which I have not addressed, you can ask via comments or email them to me at askthepaediatricians@gmail.com. I love reading and answering your questions and comments.
The Paediatrician – your online Paediatrician
My baby is 12months now please which immunization we he take. Also when is he going to start deworming
It depends on the schedule you are following. Kindly scroll up and check on the chart above what is next depending on what you have taken and yet to take.
My baby is 9month now Pls which vaccine his he going to take.
I doubt you read the article first….kindly do so because the answer to this and all the schedule is covered already including the Immunization schedule chart. At 9 months, your baby needs to take Measles and Yellow fever vaccines
Thank u so much ma. I really gained from this writeup. Pls my daughter is 3 years, 6 month. She did not take the rotavirus and d one for mumps. Which hospital can I take her to and can she still take d injections. May God bless all DT concerns u.
She can no longer take the Rotavirus vaccine but she can still take the Mumps (MMR) at any standard private hospital
Goodday ma,my baby is 4months and 2weeks can she still take d ROTAVIRUS VACCINE.Thanks for always been there for us.
Too late….first dose of Rota vaccine should not be given after 15 weeks.
Pls what is Mumps?
MUMPS is a viral infections that comes with high fever and swollen cheeks due to the swelling of the parotid glands. It is quite common in children under five years
Well-done Ma.
I really didn’t get some of the explanations concerning the catch up vaccines cuz I didn’t know abt the non-NPI until now.
My son is already 22 months and I didn’t take the MMR and varicella (chicken pox). Is a catch-up possible?
Thank you for this platform Ma.
Yes…Just go to the Hospitals that give the extra vaccines not covered by the government and he will be given the MMR and the Chickenpox vaccines at a fee. Thank you for stopping by
Also Ma, is “Conjugate A CSM” same as MCV.
I took the CSM at 1yr 6 months which I was told was for meningitis so am a bit confused.
Hi Joy! It is the same….just different way of abbreviation. MCV means MeningoCoccal Vaccine of which there are various types depending on what serotype(s) of the bacteria is covered. Conjugate A CSM means the Cerebrospinal Memningitis (CSM) vaccine for the A serotype only
Good morning doctor, please I have a question to ask you? Am a mother with a baby of 5months, but please this question is not for me but for my neighbor she tell me to ask you this question, please when her baby was 5month she went to antinetal but did not complete the injection, until now she has not gone to the hospital to complete and to take the remaining injection, please what will she do now, the baby is approaching 9months.thanks,
She should take the baby to the Health Centre and the outstanding (remaining) immunization doses will be given to her baby. It is never too late to take missed vaccines.
Good morning pls my baby is two weeks four days and the only vaccine she as received in hep-b-0 when next is the appropiate time for the next vaccine and when do Ifako ijaye give immunization within the week
You should go for the BCG as soon as possible. The next set of vaccines should be given when the baby is 6 weeks old.
Good evening, Doctor. Please, I took my 15month old boy to the hospital for MMR immunisation and I was asked to bring him for the second dose 4weeks after. I am confused because I thought the second dose should be taken years later. Thank you, ma
There are two options – Most schedules recommend giving the second dose of the MMR at 4 – 6 years but it can be given as early as one month after. Just follow the schedule given by your hospital
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Thank you Dr for taking your time to explain all these. My own question os my 15mth old baby is just recuperating from malaria and an infectiom, sepsis. Shes currently placed on fleming antibiotics. I want to know if her recuperation and d antibiotics will not affect the immunizations shes suppose to take.
I heard that vaccines musnt be given to any child that has fever. How true is this? This is the reason her immunizatiom was delayed.
Thanks for your quick reaponse
God bless u real big.
1. No – antibiotics do not affect immunization.
2. True…especially high fever. This is because immunization may also cause fever as a side effect and if a child is already having fevr you will not be sure if it is the primary illness or the immunization side effect.
It is better to sort out the original cause of the fever and then proceed with immunization.
You are welcome!
Thank you ma Doctor for your time and explainations,my baby is 4months &1week old.He was not given Rota vaccines as part of his vaccines.Now he has this repeated Diahiarrh, we have being to hospital and ran stool culture & full blood count test, the Doctor we saw said his stool culture result is okay but his lymphocyte is higher than the normal range,we were ask to continue giving him Zinc tablet & ORS.However his watery stooling has not stop.What do we do ma to stop this repeated Diahiarrh,seeing that in your previous comment you said Rota vaccine was late for 4month baby.
Rotavirus vaccine is not the only factor in the equation in prevention of diarrhoea – exclusive breastfeeding and good hygiene is part as well.
Good day doctor. Pls my baby is nine months old. But we missed our appointment for the nine months vaccines by one week. Pls will it be too late to take it the following week? Thanks.
No…you always catch up on missed immunizations
Thanks a lot for this, I am more enlightened now. God bless the paeds in the house!
Thank you Erica for your kind words!
Doc, pls my son was given the pcv and rotavirus at 6 weeks and 14 weeks. He is now 13 months please which one should he be given. If he has missed any after the above mentioned, what do I do? I have gone through the write-up, still don’t understand the dates. Please respond. Thank you.
Hi Gloria.
Take your child Immunization card to the hospital where he had the vaccines and ask if there is any vaccine on the list he has not taken then they can give the missed vaccine – that is the catch up immunization. There are 3 doses of Pneumococcal vaccines so he should have taken one at 10 weeks. He can still take the last dose of PCV if he actually missed it but verifying with the immunization card at a health facility is the best.
Pls ma in a case where your child was given immunization at 14 weeks and went back at 6 months for vitamin A but they told me that he would he given injection and I taught that they started it new not knowing that they taught I came for 14 weeks, I told them that my baby is 6 months,but they still gave him the dose again, when I got home I knew something was not right and I checked your page on immunization and u said no injection should be given at 6 months, when I went back there he told me that people were much for him and he taught I said 14 weeks, I asked him of any side effect for repeating the dose he said non that it will just be a boaster, so pls I want to still ask if their is any side effect for repeating it.thanks
Sorry about that Chinwe….Do not worry, there is no side effect to extra dose of vaccines just a waste of resources!
Please my child took her normal size weeks vaccine afterwhich she was just restlessness and even cried almost through out the day her Temperature rose wanted to buy paracetamol one of friends warned me not to do so that it will counter the efficacy of the vaccine.that the hospital her daughter did her’s they were told not to give panadol that’s it’s the latest from world health organisation I ended up not giving any panadol but it was heartbreaking seeing my child undergoing such pain and I couldn’t help.we will be going for her 10 weeks immunisation please how true is the no panadol thing cos I want to be sure that I’m taking the right decision for my daughter.thanks
Hello Doris….that is WRONG INFORMATION from your friend. You can give Paracetamol for fever following immunization.
There is no iota of truth about the WHO saying paracetamol should not be given.
Next time someone tells you such, ask them to show you the document or link where you can confirm or ask your own doctor or Paediatrician first. We are living in the information age so no excuse for ignorance.
My daughter was denied immunization when I gave birth to her, the health care giver said after 3days they noticed she had jaundice and because of that she was not immunized up untill 2weeks that the birilluben came down, that was when they gave her immunization and then it was late for her to collect HBo, and now she is 16months, am worried Doc, please hope it will not affect her health in the nearest future. Concerned mum.
No it will not affect her as she has taken the Hepatitis B vaccines with the 3 doses of the Penta vaccines!
They did not give her the first dose of Hepatitis B vaccine meant for less than 1week babie
No need to worry…..The Penta vaccines given at 6, 10 and 14 weeks have the Hepatitis B vaccines
I didn’t know about the non NPI Vaccines until now,thanks for this information. My daughter is 17 mths old but she had chicken pox when she was 13. Is it still necessary for her to take the varicella vaccine?
Varicella is another name for chickenpox …..so if the child has taken one no need to take another.
Please Doc, I’m a bit concerned because my 13 weeks baby has not been given polio vaccine at all,also she has only been given hepatitis B vaccine just twice. Can she still be given . Or what is the way out now. Thank you
Yes she can be given the Polio vaccines – take at one month intervals until she received all the 3 doses; go to the nearest health centre to take.
Greetings doc, pls kindly enlighten me on the 14 weeks penta vaccine. I just noticed I missed my 3 months old babys 14 weeks penta. Pls after what age will the penta given at 14 week not be possible again. I want to know if I can stil give her the vaccine, she is 15weeks today. Thank you.
Hi Uju! Just go and take it NOW! You do not have to wait again….Once you missed a vaccine, go and take it (catch up) as soon as you can and that is fine!
Good day Doc, my son was given the Opv2 at 14weeks immunization. And I was asked to come back for Opv3 at 9months. Pls, is there any need to worry since he suppose to take the Opv3 at 14weeks.
I guess you meant IPV at 9 months. We are almost in the post-Polio free period when we are going to switch from Oral Polio to injectable Polio like they do in Polio-free countries. There is no need to worry! We have started the process by replacing one of the 3 OPV with an IPV!
Mai child of 5yr&2months wanted to collect d vitamin A bt he was not given ,they said he’s above 5yrs.so pls ma,hope there is no side effect,do I nid to worry bcos I’m worried unless u give me d right answer thou i’ve read this article bt I still did not really get d answer. Thanks ma
There is no need to give Vitamin A to a child above 5 years but let him keep eating food rich in Vitamin A like red palm oil, carrots etc. Most flour, sugar, butter are now fortified with Vitamin A
Good morning ma, please what is the dosage of panda paracetamol for a 6wks baby after immunization. No actual dosage was indicated for baby’s less than 3months
Dosage depends on the weight of your baby. You need to repost with the weight of the baby.
Hello Ma,i really enjoyed your explanation thanks a lot Ma.my son has been given the Mmr vaccine since 9month and he is 15months now his having the symptoms of measles what should I do Ma
Hi Olabamiji. Thank you for the information. I usually do not rely on parents or caregivers diagnosis of measles as not every rash is Measles. You should take him to see a doctor first so he can be examined and treated. It is possible for a child who has been immunized to still have measles but it will be very mild. However we need to be sure it is even Measles first so see a doctor. Also ensure the child gets the Measles being given as part of the Measles Vaccination campaign
Immediately my baby was given BCG on the third day after birth,it was discovered she has jaundice. She was admitted and placed under photo therapy. Some people said,she was not supposed to take the BCG since there’s jaundice. Pls is there any side effect?
That is not true. BCG does not cause jaundice neither does Jaundice affect the efficacy of the BCG vaccine. Most babies have jaundice (about 60%) so it has absolutely nothing to do with BCG which is routinely given at birth to children.
Good day ma.. Please I want to know how many shots is being given at 2months. (e. g for 6weeks they gave 3 shots, penta 1 etc) will same thing be done at 2months
Kindly go through our article on childhood immunizations CHILDHOOD IMMUNIZATION – UPDATE
Is it okay for a child to take 12months immunisation a day before his birthday. As the date for his immunisation is a day before his birthday.
It is Okay
Hi, I want to know for a case of bcg scar not appearing, went for manteux test and it read negative. The child is 4yrs now, is there any need to go and retake d vaccine?
Yes since the Mantoux test was negative but they need to do chest Xray to make sure the child does not have tuberculosis now. Once that has been ruled out she should be given the BCG vaccine again.
Good evening ma, please ma I went to the hospital with my baby at 6 months for the rotavirus vaccine and they gave it to her, but I just read about ur explanation… Should I still go for the seconddose cos she’s already 7months and is there any side effects for giving her the 1st dose at 6 months? Or any benefit
There are no side-effects but no benefits per se taking the Rota vaccines at this time according to the manufacturers.
So is only vitamin a she will be given by her Sox months, no injection?
Yes Eniola
Good day doctor. My son will be 3 years next month which is may but he can’t express himself but he only cries when he wants something. He can recite poems, Alphabet , daddy ,destiny but can’t say what he wants. Am worried ma’am
Your child needs to see a Paediatrician fast as he needs further evaluation for speech delay and autism especially must be ruled out. Read more here
Good day Doc, please kindly help with the link to part 1 of this article. Thank you
Please doc it’s been a week my baby was given the 6weeks immunization and the site is still swollen and hard.Will ice still reduce the swelling?
If it is not painful, no need to worry and it will resolve with time. If painful however, you need to see a doctor immediately.
Good afternoon ma,
Please my baby is 6 months old and has never taken the rotavirus vaccine and I am worried because I now know the benefits of taking it. Please help me what do I do now?
Hi Tolu…It is too late to take the Rotavirus vaccine at 6 months. That is nothing to worry about. Simply continue the other vaccines on the immunizations schedule at the right time.
Please Doctor, my baby is 6months and has never had the Rotavirus vaccine!
what do i need to do now especially to prevent the virus since my baby is not given the vaccine.
It is too late to initiate the Rotavirus immunization. The Rotavirus vaccine is to prevent rotavirus infection which the peak age of occurence is 6-11 months. No need to worry just continue with the other vaccines on the immunization schedule.
Good morning ma, please ma I went yesterday to the hospital for my baby’s 9months immunization. I gave him paracetamol as directed by the pharmacist but this morning he woke up with a swollen eyes. Please what do you advice I do?
You need to take him to the hospital. Swollen eyes is not a usual side effect of the measles vaccines. So see a doctor as soon as possible.
Dear Doc,my daughter will be 18months on the 14th of this month and has just missed the recent measles vaccination.Can she still go for the MMR immunization.
Yes Patience she can!
God bles ur good heart ma, i say well ms. Pls mm baby will be 5 months in a weeks time pls ma can she still take rota 2nd dose pneumococcal( pcv) 2nd dose???
Yes Tayo…she can take the second doses if she has taken the first doses of those vaccines first. When did she take the first doses?
Good day Doc, Please Doc. What is the effect of busting BCG vaccine boil?
I’m a first time mum I saw boil on my baby’s upper left arm and busted it to clean the pores, I didn’t know it was BCG and was not supposed to bust it until my sister came around and told me. What do I do please. (I did it when my baby was 5weeks, he is 11weeks now) thank you.
Hi Uche….you have asked on the Facebook group and we have answered. There is no need to worry since the wound has healed already. Next time just leave it alone.
Thank you so much for the information, ma. My first son is 37 months. He was immunized up to age 12 months (only vitamin A 2nd dose was given, was told MMR and chicken pox vaccines were not available). Though was asked to come back at 18 months for Measles 2 vaccine, went there (primary health center) but was told to come back again. I’ve not gone there since then. This forum has really opened my eyes of understanding. What do you suggest I do now, so I don’t repeat same mistake again with my second son. Thanks, ma. Looking forward to your response.
Hi Temi! Some of those immunizations are not paid for by government and you can still take them for your son as long as you are willing to pay out of your pockets. Most standard private hospitals and some government hospitals can give them to him at a reasonable fee. The government is working hard and we hope very soon that all these vaccines will be available free. As long as your children are below age of 5, they can still take the immunizations even though they have missed them before….It is what we call catch up immunizations!
Please ma, I will like to confirm about cervical cancer immunization. We were told in a general hospital to take our baby girls to LUTH for the immunization when they are 3 months, 9 years and 25 years.
There is cervical cancer vaccine that is HPV given at 3 months It is usually given from age 7 – 10 years. You can also google HPV vaccine. Maybe you misunderstood the speaker.
Good morning ma, pls I have a question
My six weeks old baby was given the 6weeks immunization yesterday apart from the usual fever that comes with itof which I have been giving paracetamol every 6 hours since yesterday. she is also having a swollen eyes. Pls Doctor is swollen eyes part of the side effecteffect.
NB: she is on EBF
No, swollen eyes is not part of the side effects of the immunizations!!! Kindly take her to the hospital immediately!!! That is an emergency!!! Kindly always post questions demanding fast response to our Facebook group wall http://www.facebook.com/groups/askthepaed
Pls ma, how necessary or important is door to door polio vaccine after one has completed the three doses in the hospital?
VERY VERY IMPORTANT!!! There is no overdose of the vaccines so don’t worry. It is also not about your child alone but herd immunity – protecting other children in the community. It will help us kick polio out of Nigeria for good. Please kindly cooperate with the vaccine officers. Thank you!
Hi, Dr .A lovely job you are doing here. I am am a paed Nurse who takes immunisations very seriously and whenever given the opportunity I talk about its importance to parents and colleagues when necessary. Your article is very educative and enlightening.Thank you very much.
Thank you Lorine. Keep up the good works of health educating the mothers. Thanks for stopping by and reading!
I really don’t know if I like this immunization stuff. My daughter died as a result n I still bear her loss. When I have other kids I would need a lot of convincing before taking them on this immunization journey. Sorry
I am sorry Beulah for your loss. I can understand your fears but Immunizations have saved more children than those who died. You may want to discuss one on one with a Paediatrician to discuss your concerns further.
My 6 going to 7 months twins have not taken the 6months vitamin A bcos the whole health centre/hospital in Akure do not av it… They said they share it twice a year that I av to wait till Dec. I’m so worried.. please what can I do? Hope it won’t affect them
You can buy in Standard Pharmacy stores. Alternatively, ensure that you give food rich in Vitamin A
Good day doctor.
My daughter is over 7 years old. I gave her BCG at birth. I have read from some of your articles that a Mantoux test can be done on babies who don’t have the BCG scar. I don’t know how it slipped my mind to check for the scar when she was a baby. I just checked and she doesn’t have the scar. Can she still go for the Mantoux test at 7years? And can she still take the BCG vaccine if test reveals she’s not protected?
Yes she can go for the mantoux test at any time so they can check if she has immunity or not. If she does not then chest Xray will be done to rule out any ongoing tuberculosis infection. If that has been ruled out, then the child can be given the BCG vaccine. Yes the child can always be given the BCG vaccine anytime if not protected
Good day ma
Concerning the rotavirus vaccine, my daughter is 12weeks old, she was not given during her 6th and 10th week immunisation due to its unavailability. Please, i will like to know where i can get it in sango ota ogun state, ibadan or lagos and when the deadline is for rota1 and 2.
Thanks
Hi Fola….Most private hospitals can get it for you for a fee. The company producing it is local. The latest for first dose is 15 weeks and the latest for 2nd dose is 8 months.
Pls ma i took my baby for her 9 months immunization,nd was told d govt has added another two more come at a fee dat is MMR nd Meningococcal vaccine,pls ma shuld she take it or no need ma??Thank u ma
The government has not added it hence the need for you to pay for it but they are good to have if you can afford it Oyinkansola. They are the vaccines I referred to in the article as the NON-NPI vaccines and hopefully soon they will be available free on the NPI (free vaccines) but until then you have to pay out of your pocket for them but they are important to protect your babies against some disease conditions. Read the article for more information about the Non-NPI vaccine
Hello, Dr Gbemisola.
I just read your article and it was timely. My daughter is 1year old and has completed her NPI schedule including meningitis. Can you tell me which Non-NPI vaccines are important for her so I can make arrangement to get them, please?
Hi Temotigho….The answers are here in the first part of the article on Childhood Immunizations All the best!
Good day ma. Pls my baby was given the 12month immunization which consist of meningococcal conjugate
PCV
Vit A
MMR and chicken pox.
And was asked to come back 13 month again
For
MMR and Chicken pox. Is it okay ma.
That is the second dose of both. I know some follow schedules that give second dose after one month; that should be okay though other schedules give much later.
Good day ma
Collected MMR and chicken pox vaccine at 12months for my baby but my card schedule shows i should come back for same MMR and chicken pox at 13months. Is that ok ma
It is fine Ruth…Some schedules give like that, there is no need to worry.
Good afternoon and well done Doctor. No immunisation is listed at 6 months for my baby in our immunization card. The first dose of vit.A is placed at 9 months, I will like to know if it is normal. Thanks
That is okay no need to worry
Hello good evening, I must say a big well done. An active follower on Facebook but 1st on this blog. Can boys of 3 and 5 years take typhoid vaccination? I am worried for my boys
Thank you Seun for visiting the blog. We do not recommend typhoid fever vaccine for children routinely. It is better for travellers. Prevention of typhoid has to do more with hygiene and avoiding contaminated food and water more than taking vaccines. However for travellers going to high risk areas, that is when vaccination is recommended.
Thank you so much ma for this post.
Pls ma, my baby is 10wks and has just been immunized and was told to come back the next day for Rotavirus vaccine cos it was not available. but my baby is running fever due the vaccines he took. Is it advisable to still go for the Rotavirus vaccine tomorrow or should be postponed. o
Hi Oluwatoyin you can. Please give paracetamol for the fever. It is not unusual for babies to have fever after the PENTA vaccine. Rota does not cause fever. Keep giving the paracetamol every 6 hours for the next 2 – 3 days and your baby should be fine
Thanks for being there. Please ma, can I still give the first dose of mumps vaccine to my son that just turned 2years on May 12th. It skipped my mind while he was 12-15months. Thanks
Yes you can….it is catch up immunization.
Thank you so much for this forum.pls my babies are 3yrs now .they were not born preterm and never had non NPI please can they still go for it. or can you specify which one they can stillh have at that age .
Yes they can go for it especially the Chickenpox, MMR and the Pneumococcal vaccines if they did not receive them before
Please my son missed the 9 months vaccines due to lack of the vaccines at the health center I use and was asked to come back at a date when he’s already 10 months. Please can he still catch up with the 9 months vaccines?
Yes… he can always catch up with any missed vaccines so go and take it as soon as the missed vaccines are available.
Good morning ma, please my daughter didn’t take the hep A vaccine as a baby, so when she turned five I gave her along with MMR, I was asked to come back in 6 months time for the second dose of the HepA but I totally forgot. When I got to the hospital yesterday the nurse said the first one I took is now invalid since I did not take the second dose after 6 months. That I will have to repeat the whole process again, that is 1st and 2nd dose again for her. Please ma would love to hear from you. Thanks and God bless you. It’s over 10 months now since she took the first one.
Hepatitis A vaccine is not really necessary. It is recommended mostly for travellers. There is no need to worry about it. The most important thing is to pay attention to good hygiene.
Good evening,my baby of 11months didn’t get Rota virus vaccine and she has diarrhea, vomiting, temperature and malaria has been treated so I was advised to get the Rota vaccine which I know it’s late….what is your take on this. Thanks in advance.
It is too late. The last dose of Rotavirus vaccine can only be taken by 8 months old. Rotavirus peak of affecting children is 6 – 11 months old. So, there is really no need to take the Rota vaccine again.
Good day ma…
My child was immunised against meningitis and meter in the week in their school she was immunized again what should I do ma.
Nothing! There is no need to worry about it. It does not cause any harm
Hi Dr, I was advised by a nurse to administer on the spot, reparin(don’t know if the spelling is correct) gel or declophenac gel 4 times a day after 6 weeks immunization. Please ma is it necessary?
It is not necessary please. You can apply ice pack intermittently to avoid swelling. It should resolve in a couple of days. If not then see a doctor
Good day ma’am, my son was born in the Uk and he was given BCG at birth, pentavalent, meningitis and rotavirus vaccines at 8 weeks. We will soon go back to Nigeria and I was wondering how his immunisation could be incorporated to the NPI schedule since he was not given OPV. Thank you
You can continue with the Nigerian immunization schedule and the baby will be given OPV. You may need to take an extra dose to complete the 3 doses.
Hello! I know this is sort of off-topic but I needed to ask. Does operating a well-established website such as yours take a large amount of work? I am brand new to operating a blog however I do write in my diary everyday. I’d like to start a blog so I can easily share my personal experience and views online. Please let me know if you have any kind of suggestions or tips for new aspiring blog owners. Appreciate it!
Hi Alisha….I am not sure I am an expert in this area. I am a Paediatrician who is just passionate about what I do and yes it is a lot of hardwork and consistency. However you can do it if you are committed and just to say I don’t make much financially from the blog itself. It is just an avenue to reach people which is my focus but that has brought me more satisfaction and other recognition than I could have purchased with money made from the blogging itself. All the best in your endeavour…Go for it!
Good day ma, please I will like to know if Typhoid fever vaccination/ immunization is necessary..IF yes my baby is 3years old can he still take it.but I notice you didn’t make mention of it.Thank you ma,you’ve done a great job.More blessing from God
It is not necessary…WHO recommends typhoid fever vaccine for travellers in areas where typhoid fever is endemic
I agree with you
Thank you ma Doctor for your time and explainations,my baby is 4months &1week old.He was not given Rota vaccines as part of his vaccines.Now he has this repeated Diahiarrh, we have being to hospital and ran stool culture & full blood count test, the Doctor we saw said his stool culture result is okay but his lymphocyte is higher than the normal range,we were ask to continue giving him Zinc tablet & ORS.However his watery stooling has not stop.What do we do ma to stop this repeated Diahiarrh,seeing that in your previous comment you said Rota vaccine was late for 4month baby.
Is your baby on exclusive breastfeeding? Prevention of diarrhoea is not solely about Rotavirus vaccine as other things are involved as well especially exclusive breastfeeding and hand hygiene. You can check the article on diarrhoea to know about home management of diarrhoea and how to prevent it
My baby girl is 1 year and 4 months now but she didn’t take vaccine for 1 year and 3 months immunization….. can she take it now she’s 1 year and 4 months? She was very sick that’s why I didn’t go at that 1 year and 3 months immunization injection.
Yes she can catch up on missed vaccines
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