Child Welfare Services are the immunization and postpartum services that we give to children and mothers after birth up until 10 years of age. These services are available at our maternity hospital and pediatric clinics across our facilities. We are keen to not only protect your child from deadly diseases through vaccinations, such as polio, tetanus, and diphtheria but to also keep other children safe by eliminating or greatly reducing dangerous diseases that move from child to child.
Read on to learn more about child welfare services at Limuru Cottage Hospital
Table of Contents
- Vaccines
- Child welfare services clinic
- Vaccination Given at birth
- Given at 6, 8, and 14 weeks of age
- Given at 6 months
- Given at 9 months
- Given at 12 months
- Given at 18 months
- Given at 9 months
- Given at 10 years
- Given at Birth
- Given at 6, 10, and 14 weeks
- Given at 6 months
- Given at 7 months
- Given at 9 months
- Given at 10 months
- Given at 1 year
- Given at 15 months
- Given at 18 months
- Given at 2 years
- Given at 5 years
- Given at 9 years
- Given annually
- Re-vaccination
- Frequently Asked Questions About our Child Welfare Services.
- Why is BCG given after birth?
- Does everyone get a BCG scar?
- Is there any effect if BCG is given twice?
- Which vaccine is given at 14 weeks?
- How long does the Hepatitis A vaccine last?
- Can you bathe a baby after vaccination?
- Do babies sleep a lot after vaccination?
- How long does it take for babies to recover after vaccines?
- Is it necessary to give baby paracetamol after vaccination?
- Is it OK to delay vaccinations for babies?
Vaccines
A vaccine is a dead, weakened, or part of the germ that causes the disease in question. When children are exposed to a disease in vaccine form, their immune system, which is the body’s germ eradication machine, is able to produce antibodies that guard them against contracting the disease if and when they are at risk of it.
Although children can have an adverse reaction to any disease, it’s important to note that the benefits of vaccinations far outweigh the possible risks, and it is, therefore, important to ensure that your child is fully vaccinated with the recommended vaccinations.
Some of the Child welfare services at our facilities include:
Child welfare services clinic
Our child welfare clinic is where we give immunizations to children after birth up to 10 years of age. Here, we offer both baby-friendly and the government recommended regular K.E.P.I vaccinations. Our child welfare services clinic also offers vaccinations against typhoid, flu, chickenpox, and cholera to children. We give an immunisation card for each child where each vaccination given is recorded, and the card is to be presented at every clinic visit.
K.E.P.I/Government vaccinations:
K.E.P.I ( Kenya Expanded Programme on Immunization), These are government recommended child welfare vaccines for diseases that are considered to be highly contagious and are given in our child welfare services clinic in doses across a period of time.
Vaccination Given at birth
- BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin)
It helps protect the child against tuberculosis (TB) and is given as an injection of 0.05ml under the skin (intradermal) of the left arm.
- Polio vaccine, 2 drops per oral
It helps protect against poliomyelitis (polio) to help prevent crippling in children.
Given at 6, 8, and 14 weeks of age
- Polio vaccine, 2 drops given
Here, children can safely get the polio booster at the child welfare services clinic any time before they are 5 years old.
- Pentavalent vaccine, Dose: 0.5mls intramuscular left outer thigh
This vaccine prevents diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, Hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenza. It contains a combination of five vaccines, hence the name ‘Penta’.
Side effects
- Fever
- Pain at the injection spot
- Swelling or redness at the injection spot
- Irritability
- Pneumococcal vaccine, Dose: 0.5ml intra-muscular right outer thigh
As a child welfare services vaccine, it was introduced in 2012 and it helps protect against pneumonia.
- Rotavirus vaccine, 1.5mls given orally
This vaccine is given at the child welfare services clinic at 6 and 10 weeks and it helps protect against rotavirus infection which is the known leading cause of diarrheal diseases amongst children worldwide.
Given at 6 months
- Measles-Rubella Vaccine
It is given at the child welfare services clinic in the event of a measles-rubella outbreak or HIV exposed children.
- Flu vaccine: Vitamin A 100000iu per oral
Given at 9 months
- 1st dose Measles-Rubella Vaccine, Dose: 0.5ml subcutaneously given on the right upper arm.
Given at 12 months
- Vitamin A 200000iu
- Deworming with Albendazole 200mg
Given at 18 months
- 2nd dose of Rubella Measles vaccine, Dose: 0.5mls subcutaneous on the right upper arm.
- Vitamin A 200000iu and deworming with Albendazole 200mg.
Given at 9 months
- The yellow fever vaccine, this vaccine is only given in some selected countries. Dose: 0.5mls o the left upper deltoid.
Given at 10 years
- HPV (Human Papillomavirus); This vaccine is given in two doses at the child welfare services clinic, 1st dose and the 2nd dose are given after 6 months.
N/B: HIV exposed girls are given 3 doses, 6 months apart.
Baby-friendly vaccines
Baby-friendly vaccines as a child welfare services are given at:
Given at Birth
The baby-friendly vaccines as a children’s welfare services given at birth include;
- BCG
- Oral Polio
- Hepatitis B, 0.5mls intra muscular
Given at 6, 10, and 14 weeks
- Hexaxim/ infanrix booster
- Rotarix
- Prevenar 13
- Oral Polio
Given at 6 months
- Flu vaccine
- Vitamin A 100000iu
Given at 7 months
Flu vaccine
Given at 9 months
- MMRV
- Yellow fever vaccine
Given at 10 months
Meningococcal ACY and W conjugate
Given at 1 year
- Vitamin A 200000iu
- Hepatitis A
- Varicella
- Albendazole dewormer 200mg
Given at 15 months
- Meningococcal vaccine
- MMRV
Given at 18 months
- Hexaxim/infarix booster
- Vitamin A 200000iu
- MMRV
- Albendazole dewormer 200mg
Given at 2 years
- Typhoid vaccine
- Flu vaccine
- Albendazole dewormer 200mg
- Vitamin A 200000iu
Given at 5 years
Boosters
- IPV
- Typhoid
- Flu vaccine
Given at 9 years
- HPV
- Flu vaccine
Given annually
Flu vaccine
Re-vaccination
- Typhoid vaccine – every 3 years
- Meningococcal vaccine
- Cholera vaccine
- Verorab/ anti-rabies vaccine
Frequently Asked Questions About our Child Welfare Services.
Why is BCG given after birth?
The Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is given to newborn babies as a child welfare service after birth to prevent them from getting tuberculosis (TB). TB is a highly contagious disease that can cause meningitis in children.
Does everyone get a BCG scar?
A raised blister will show after vaccination with BCG, but not on everyone.
Is there any effect if BCG is given twice?
Usually, there is no major problem caused in the case of a double vaccination with BCG.
Which vaccine is given at 14 weeks?
Your child will receive 4 immunizations as a child welfare services at 14 weeks, 3 injections and 1 oral drop. These vaccinations will protect your child from getting chest infections, diarrhoea, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, meningitis, hepatitis and ear and throat infections.
How long does the Hepatitis A vaccine last?
The vaccine lasts up to 12 months against Hepatitis A. You can also get a booster injection after 6-12 months, which will give up to 20 years of protection.
Can you bathe a baby after vaccination?
You can bathe a baby normally after vaccination, but if the injection spot is red and warm to the touch, you can place a cool warm cloth (not an ice pack) on their arm or leg. If your baby feels hot, loosen their clothing and blankets.
Do babies sleep a lot after vaccination?
Research has shown that infants will sleep for 69 minutes longer after vaccination than in the 24-hours period before immunisation.
How long does it take for babies to recover after vaccines?
Your child may cry for a bit after vaccination, but they should feel better after a cuddle. Sometimes the injection spot can be sore for 2-3 days, but it will clear on its own.
Is it necessary to give baby paracetamol after vaccination?
Since fever after vaccination is common, doctors have advised that it is okay to give paracetamol for up to 48 hours after the MenB vaccination without seeking any medical help.
Is it OK to delay vaccinations for babies?
Infants and young children that follow immunization plans as part of the child welfare services spread out or leave out some shots are at risk of developing diseases in the time frame you delay their shots.