Childhood Vaccination

The Childhood Vaccination course is structured into five units, each focusing on a critical aspect of pediatric immunization.

Unit 1: Immunisation
This unit introduces the basic concepts of immunization, differentiating between active and passive immunization. It explains how vaccines work to stimulate the immune system and outlines the various types of vaccines, such as live attenuated, inactivated, subunit, and toxoid vaccines. The unit also covers vaccine safety, efficacy, and potential side effects, along with the strict legal standards followed in vaccine production.

Unit 2: Passive Immunisation
This unit focuses on passive immunisation, which involves the direct transfer of antibodies to a non-immune person. It explains the types of immunoglobulins used for passive immunisation and their applications, such as providing immediate protection against diseases like hepatitis, rabies, and tetanus. The unit also covers the interactions between passive immunisation and live vaccines, highlighting when certain vaccines should be administered to avoid interference.

Unit 3: Recommendations
This unit outlines the recommendations for administering age-appropriate vaccines for children. It discusses the rationale behind the timing of vaccines, including the role of maternal antibodies and age-specific risks. The unit emphasises the importance of following recommended schedules and explains the need for booster doses in certain cases, such as with measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines.

Unit 4: Vaccines
This unit provides detailed information about specific childhood vaccines, including those for tuberculosis (BCG), hepatitis B, poliomyelitis, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), pneumococcal disease, rotavirus, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox), meningococcal disease, and human papillomavirus (HPV). It explains how these vaccines work, their recommended schedules, and their potential side effects, giving healthcare professionals a comprehensive understanding of pediatric immunisation protocols.

Unit 5: Catch-up Vaccination
This final unit focuses on catch-up vaccination, which is designed to ensure children who have missed scheduled vaccinations are brought up to date as quickly as possible. It discusses the importance of maintaining accurate immunisation records and provides guidance on how to manage incomplete documentation. The unit also explains the principles of catch-up vaccination, including how to determine which vaccines are needed and how to administer multiple doses safely.

This course provides healthcare professionals with the tools and knowledge necessary to effectively manage childhood vaccinations, ensuring optimal protection for children against preventable diseases.