Vaccines (also called immunisation) save many thousands of children’s lives each year. Vaccines prevent children becoming ill from diseases like measles, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis, tuberculosis, meningitis and pneumonia. They are safe for your baby, and proven to prevent sickness and save lives.
Parents should take their baby to a health centre seven times in the first year of life (at birth, and at 1, 2, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age). The reasons for this are to:
- Receive vaccines and other medicines to protect them from these diseases
- Mothers can get help with breast-feeding, and advice about what foods to make their baby grow strong
- Babies can be weighed regularly for checking growth.
- Mothers and fathers can also get help with family planning, if they want it.
The Child Health Record book is an important record of your baby’s vaccines and health. If you take this book to the health centre every time you go with your child, it will be an up-to-date record for you to keep, and to help the health care workers. Download the Child Health Record Book here: