Recommended Immunizations for Babies and Children

As parents, our first job is to protect our children. Every mother and father has an obligation and right to learn about measures that can be adopted to protect our children from injury, disease, or pain. One of the safest and most effective ways that we can offer vaccines, which protect babies and children from diseases that may potentially cause tremendous suffering, severe disability, and even death.

The immunization schedule

The immunization schedule for babies and children is designed to provide broad protection from these diseases on the earliest possible date. The vaccines prevent diseases from early childhood, some of which provide protection even as adults. Some of the vaccines provide life-long protection, and some will require booster shots to maintain the high level of protection.

Vaccinations are administered in the Family Health Center and later in schools, free of charge.

See the immunization schedule

Other recommended vaccinations

In addition to the routine vaccines that are administered in the Family Health Center, there are recommended vaccines that are administered in the HMOs:

• Vaccine against meningococcal B (Bexsero): administered from the age of two months in the HMOs, incurs a fee.
• Influenza vaccine: administered from the age of 6 months, free of charge.
• COVID-19 vaccine: administered from the age of 6 months, free of charge.

The importance of vaccinating on the recommended schedule

The vaccines are administered at the earliest possible date to protect babies and children from infectious diseases, some of which are serious. Any delay in the administration of the vaccines leaves the baby or infant unprotected and vulnerable to infection if exposed to pathogens of these diseases. In addition, there must be a minimum interval between the administration of the doses of the vaccine. Any delay in the administration of one dose of a certain vaccine will affect the scheduling of the administration of the next dose of that vaccine and even the date on which the other vaccines are received. If you are not vaccinated on the recommended date, it is important to complete the vaccinations as soon as possible.

When to postpone vaccination

• If your baby is not feeling well before the vaccination, it is important that you inform the Family Health Clinic nurse, who will exercise discretion on whether to administer the vaccine on time or to postpone it.
• If the baby has a fever or an acute infectious disease, the vaccination will be postponed until the baby has fully recovered.
• If the baby is suffering from a mild illness with no fever or a low-grade fever (under 38 degrees), such as mild upper respiratory tract infection, mild diarrhea, or local infection, the nurse will review the information, and the vaccine may still be administered on schedule.

When vaccinations should not be given (“contraindication”)

• If there was any previous acute reaction to the same vaccine or to one of its ingredients.
• Any hypersensitivity, such as anaphylaxis, to any of the vaccine’s ingredients.
• If the baby is severely immunocompromised, depending on the type of vaccine.

Under these circumstances, it is important to consult with the attending physician before receiving the vaccine.

Special circumstances permitting vaccination of infants

• Following exposure to an infectious disease.
• During treatment with antibiotics.
• During treatment with steroids at a dosage that does not suppress the immune system. In this case, it is important to consult with the attending physician.
• Before surgery or after recovery from surgery.
• In cases of malnutrition.
• During a prolonged heart, lung, liver, or kidney disease when the immune system is not impaired.
• If the allergic reaction to any of the ingredients of the vaccine is not severe, or in the case of the influenza vaccine, if there is an albumin allergy.
• If another immediate relative suffered from an allergic reaction or side effects following a vaccine.

Possible side effects

Occasionally, following the administration of a vaccine, the simulated infection can trigger side effects, but these are generally mild and disappear on their own after a short period of time. This is a normal and recognized phenomenon and should be expected as the body builds immunity.

The most common side effects are swelling and redness at the injection site, fever, and general discomfort. To alleviate the side effects, a preparation may be given to lower fever and alleviate pain. A clean cloth soaked in lukewarm water may be placed on the injection site. Avoid massaging the area.

On extremely rare occasions, the vaccine triggers an immediate anaphylactic allergic reaction. In most cases, such a reaction appears within minutes after the vaccine. Thus, the importance of waiting 15 minutes in the Family Health Center after receiving the vaccine.

More information about the side effects

More information on vaccines

Every vaccine that appears in the immunization schedule has a link to detailed information about the disease or diseases that it is protecting you from, about the location and method of administering the vaccine, and about possible side effects. If you are concerned about the upcoming vaccine, click on the link and read. The more you know, the fewer concerns you have, and the easier it will be to make decisions.