4-in-1 Pre-School Booster Vaccination

What does the 4-in-1 Pre-School Booster protect against?

Tetanus
Tetanus is a condition caused when bacteria found in soil and manure enters the body through cuts, burns or other open wounds. Symptoms include painful muscle spasms, fever and a rapid heartbeat. The disease cannot be passed from person to person but can be fatal if left untreated.

Diphtheria
Diphtheria is a highly contagious and potentially fatal bacterial infection that can cause breathing difficulties, problems with the nervous system and heart damage. The first sign of diphtheria is usually a sore throat.

Polio
This serious viral infection may result in temporary or permanent paralysis and is life-threatening in some cases. Polio can also cause deformities such as twisted legs or feet.  There is no cure for the disease at present, so vaccination is highly important.

Whooping cough
Whooping cough can cause long bursts of coughing and choking, often resulting in difficulty breathing. The infection, which is very contagious and commonly lasts between two and three months, can be particularly serious in babies under one year of age. In severe cases it can lead to pneumonia, permanent brain damage and occasionally death.

Who should be vaccinated?

The 4-in-1 pre-school booster is part of the normal vaccination schedule and is routinely offered to all children aged from three years and 4 months old. There are only a few circumstances in which the vaccine should not be given, such as if the child is allergic or has a fever on the appointment date (in the case of the latter simply delay until fully recovered).

Is the vaccination safe?

Yes, the vaccine is injected into the upper arm and is completely safe. As with most vaccines, there is a possibility of side effects, however these are usually mild and will disappear without intervention.

How effective is the vaccination?

Clinical tests have shown that over 99% of children who received this 4-in-1 booster were protected from all four diseases. That said, it is important that this vaccine is followed up with the universal 3-in-1 booster injection at the age of 13-14, which will provide further immunity.