Vaccination schedule

What are vaccinations and why is it given?

Babies and young children are particularly vulnerable to infectious disease. By injecting your baby with a vaccine, the body develops its own immune response to that particular disease. This means that if he is later exposed to that disease, the body has already got its defense ready to protect him.

The World Health Organization has a Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), which has been adopted by the South African Department of Health and it is commonly referred as EPI (SA). These are in the normal schedule of vaccines and are free of charge at state clinics.

***Currently in the private sector, we are unable to receive EPI (SA) funded vaccines for now, as the permits are not being renewed. This means that all vaccines used in private clinics, will be ordered privately, but it can be claimed from medical aid for those with medical aids or paid cash for those without. It all depends on your medical aid and the plan that you are on. For more information or to get pricing on the vaccines, please feel free to contact me

Here is a outline of clinic visits and vaccinations needed:

With every visit, the consultation takes about 45-60 minutes. During this time your baby will be weight and measured and any questions or concerns discussed. The initial 2 week visit or first visit normally takes a bit longer, as there is much more to discuss and examine.

With all consultations, any problems and/or concerns that you might have, will be discussed. Advice will be given and you will receive handouts about your baby at that specific age and time. If baby is then due for a vaccination it will also be done.

** Vaccines written in this colour are private vaccines and are ordered privately through the pharmacy. We can put it through your medical aid should you have one. If not, you will receive an invoice for them for payment

** At birth in hospital: 

• Polio drops (0)
• BCG injection (vaccine against TB)

** 2 weeks:

• General baby check-up and weigh. This is important because all babies loose weigh initially and babies should be back at birth weight at 2 weeks.
• Mommy check can be done
• Questions and concerns are dealt with
• Discussion about vaccinations due from age of 6 weeks

6 – 8 weeks:

• Questions and advise
• Baby check-up
• Vaccinations:
• Prevenar (1st dose)
• Rotarix (1st dose)
• Hexaxim (1st dose)

10 – 12 weeks: 

• General check-up
• Vaccinations:
• Hexaxim (2nd dose)

14 – 16 weeks: 

• General check-up
• Vaccination:
• Prevenar (2nd dose)
• Rotarix (2nd dose)
• Hexaxim (3rd dose)

6 months: 

• General check-up
• Vitamin A drops
• Vaccinations
• MeasBio (1st dose)

9 months: 

• General check-up
• Vaccinations
• Prevenar (3rd dose)
• Menactra (can be given from 9 months onwards. Booster dose then 3 months after first dose)

• General check-up
• Vaccinations
• Priorix (MMR)
• Onvara
• Avaxim (1st dose- 2nd dose to be given 6 months after first dose)
• Please note that I will only do 2 vaccinations on 1 day. Another appointment will be scheduled should you wish to do a 3rd

15 months: 

• General check-up
• Vaccinations
• Priorix (MMR) If not given at 12 months

18 months: 

• General check-up
• Vitamin A drops
• Vaccinations
• Hexaxim (4th dose)
• Avaxim (2nd dose if 1st dose was given at 12 months)

2 years:

• General check-up
• Vitamin A drops

Other optional extras: (all optional extras)

• Vaccinations:
• This is for cervical cancer, genital wards
• Cervarix (Female: > 10 yrs = given at 0, 1, 6 months)
• OR 
• Gardisil (Females: 9-26 yrs and Males: 9-17 yrs = given at 0, 2, 6 months)

What are the possible side-effects of vaccinations?

The likelihood of these side-effects have reduced dramatically within the last couple of years, due to newer and better vaccinations.

However, these are the most common possible side-effects that could occur within 24-48 hours post-vaccination:

• Redness, warmth and swelling at the site of immunization
• Increase in body temperature
• Sleepiness
• Irritability and persistent crying
• Disinterest in food
• Body rash

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Here is a brief explanation of uses of vaccines. 

OPV Oral polio vaccine

Pentaxim Diptheria, Tetanus, accellular Pertussis (whooping cough), Haemophilus influenzae type b and Polio

HBV Hepatitis B

Infanrix-hexa(6-in-1 injection)-Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Polio, Hepatitis B

Hexaxim (6-in-1 injection)-Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Polio, Hepatitis B

dT Diptheria, Tetanus

PCV (Prevenar) Pneumococcal Vaccine: Prevention against Pneumococcal bacteria which can cause pneumonia, septesimia, otitis media and meningitis which could be fatal in children.

Synflorix Pneumococcal Vaccine: Prevention against Pneumococcal bacteria which can cause pneumonia, septesimia, otitis media and meningitis which could be fatal in children.

Rotarix / Rotateq Prevention against Rota-virus (gastro in babies and children)

Rouvax Measles vaccine

Onvara Chickenpox vaccine

MeasBio measles

Avaxim Hepatitis A vaccine

Priorix Measels, Mumps, Rubella

Menactra Meningiococcal bacterial vaccination

Gardasil The only Quadrivalent HPV vaccine (HPV= Human Papillomavirus)

• Gardasil will protect against HPV 6, 11, 16 + 18- this means against Cervical, Vulvar and Vaginal Cancers and Genital warts.

Cervarix An HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccine

• for protection against HPV 16 + 18- meaning against Cervical, Vulvar and Vaginal Cancers and Genital warts.

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Medical aids cover most vaccines. Please contact your medical aid for details

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