10 Diseases Vaccines Can Protect Your Child Against

Every parent wants their child to grow up healthy, strong, and protected from diseases that can threaten their wellbeing. And one of the most effective ways to protect children from serious vaccine-preventable diseases is immunisation. Vaccines work by helping the body’s immune system recognise and fight specific infections before they can cause serious illness. They are an important part of keeping children and the wider community healthy.

Vaccines protect against serious diseases such as:

Tuberculosis (TB): a serious disease that can cause a long-lasting cough and can damage the lungs and other parts of the body.

Polio: a disease that can attack the nerves and cause weakness or permanent paralysis, especially in children.

Diphtheria: a serious throat infection that can make breathing difficult and damage the heart and nerves.

Pertussis (Whooping Cough); a highly contagious infection that causes severe, repeated bouts of coughing and can be especially dangerous for babies.

Tetanus: a serious infection that causes painful muscle stiffness and spasms, often after germs enter the body through a wound.

Hepatitis B: a viral infection that attacks the liver and can lead to serious liver disease, including cancer.

Pneumonia: an infection of the lungs that can make breathing difficult and can be life-threatening, especially in young children.

Rotavirus diarrhoea: a highly contagious infection that causes severe diarrhoea and vomiting, which can quickly lead to dangerous dehydration in children.

Measles: a highly contagious disease that causes fever and a widespread rash and can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and brain damage.

Yellow Fever: a viral disease spread by mosquitoes that can cause high fever, jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), bleeding, and sometimes death.

In Nigeria, routine childhood immunisation is coordinated through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and delivered through health facilities and other immunisation points. Children receive different vaccines at specific ages to provide protection when they are most vulnerable.

At birth: BCG, OPV, Hepatitis B

6, 10, 14 weeks: Pentavalent, Rotavirus, Pneumococcal, Polio vaccines

9 months: Measles-Rubella, Yellow fever

15 months: Measles second dose

9 years: HPV vaccine

Your child's vaccination schedule may also be affected by updated national recommendations or catch-up vaccination requirements, so always confirm with your healthcare provider. You should also take care to ensure that every vaccination your child receives is recorded in their Child Health Card.

This card is important because it helps you and your healthcare provider keep track of the vaccines your child has received and those that may still be due. Keep the Child Health Card safe and bring it along whenever your child visits a healthcare facility.

And now, something new and exciting has been introduced into the vaccination schedule recently! Nigeria has introduced the malaria vaccine into its routine childhood immunisation programme in 2024, beginning with a phased rollout in selected states.

The malaria vaccine is given to young children to help reduce their risk of developing malaria and, importantly, to reduce the risk of severe malaria. This is particularly significant in Nigeria, where malaria remains an important cause of illness among children.

Finally, dear caregiver, always remember that vaccination is only one part of raising a healthy child. Good nutrition, hygiene, regular health checks, safe environments, and timely medical care all play important roles too.

Keep raising a Well Child, and see you in our next article! 💜