Child Health Surveillance at Hampton includes a programme of checks and immunisations.
Baby clinic
Please contact the South Rural Health Visiting Team based at Balsall Common Helath Centre on 01676 536850 for more information on the baby clinics held in the area.
During the clinic, the following child health surveillance checks are performed:
- 8 week (this is done at Hampton Surgery by one of the Doctors)
- 8 month
- 4 year
It may be possible to give vaccinations at these times if they are due, but these are best done at the immunisation clinic times.
Immunisation Programme
(1) The 5-in-1 BABY JAB (PEDIACEL) is given at 8 / 12 / 16 weeks with the Meningitis C vaccine.
PEDIACEL the 5-in-1 jab is a combination injection given to protect babies from diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, Hib* and polio. Previously, all babies would have had a four-in-one injection and take the polio vaccine orally. The 5-in-1 jab ads protection against polio in injection form. (*Hib = Haemophilus influenzae type b Meningitis vaccine)
This new jab as been introduced for two reasons:
- To replace the live oral polio vaccine with an inactivated vaccine.
- To introduce a new ‘acellular’ whooping cough vaccine, instead of the whole cell vaccine. (The acellular vaccine gives fewer temperatures, sore arms and or becoming unwell that children can get following immunisations.)
The 5-in-1 jab has notably fewer side effects than the current regimen. Unlike the 4-in-1 vaccine, the formulation does not contain mercury. There is no link between the vaccine & autism. The formulation has been safely used in Canada for 7 years without any problems.
- The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) 1 combined vaccine is given between 12 to 14 months of age
- PSB (Pre-school booster) REPEVAX vaccine is given between the age of 4 – 5 years with the MMR 2
This has been available from October 2004, for pre-school use in children. (Abbreviated vaccine composition: dTaP/IPV (low-dose Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussin; inactivated Polio).
- School-leaver - Adolescent (14 to 16 years) REVAXIS vaccine
This has been available from October 2004, for children aged 14-15 years and adults when travelling.
Abbreviated vaccine composition: dT/IPV (low-dose Diphtheria and Tetanus; inactivated Polio).
Child health record book (the ‘Red Book’)
You will be given a handy red booklet in which to record details of your child's health. This contains graphs to plot weight and height as well as pages for the doctor or health visitor to fill in during the health surveillance checks. The booklet also includes lots of helpful hints regarding your child's health and development. It is well worth reading and keeping up to date. Please bring it with you whenever you see a doctor or the health visitor.
The first check that takes place is after birth and usually within 10 days. This is usually conducted at home and involve a general physical examination is listening to the baby's heart.
There is then a postnatal and baby check between 6 & 8 weeks after birth. This is also an opportunity to check that your baby is fit for vaccination and there are no contra-indications to vaccinations and to discuss any concerns that parents may have.
A time will be organised to start each baby’s vaccination programme as detailed above.
An 8 month check includes your child's development and a hearing test.
A check at 4 years of age includes a child's development to ensure that it has been satisfactory, checks regarding their development of language and vision and their heart.