Childhood Vaccination

We deliver the complete childhood immunisation schedule in a calm, child-friendly clinic, with digital records you can access, alongside catch-up schedules for children who have fallen behind and travel vaccines. At Allergy Asthma Foundation it is carried out by an experienced team using current equipment and protocols, with clear information given before, during and after so that you know what to expect at every stage.

This page explains why the procedure is done, how to prepare, what happens on the day, and what recovery and follow-up involve. Your own consultant will go through the details that apply to your situation and answer any questions before you agree to go ahead.

Why it is done

Childhood vaccination is usually recommended for one or more of the following reasons:

• Routine protection at the recommended ages from birth through adolescence
• Catching up a child whose schedule has been interrupted
• Additional vaccines before travel to certain countries
• Extra protection for children with particular medical conditions
• Replacing a vaccine record that has been lost

It is only offered when the expected benefit clearly outweighs the risks, and the decision is always made together with you. If a simpler test or treatment would answer the question or relieve the problem, that is tried first.

How to prepare

• Bring your current medicines, your adrenaline auto-injector if you have one, and any record of previous doses or reactions.
• Take your usual asthma preventer and other regular medicines unless told otherwise.
• Do not have the treatment if you are unwell with a fever or an asthma flare on the day — call to rearrange.
• Avoid heavy exercise, a hot bath or alcohol for a few hours before and after.
• Plan to stay in the department for a period of monitoring after each dose.

What happens on the day

1. A nurse checks your child's age, weight, health on the day and immunisation history.
2. Which vaccines are due is confirmed with you and any questions are answered.
3. The vaccine is given in the thigh or upper arm; comfort measures such as feeding or distraction are used.
4. Your child is observed in the clinic for a short period afterwards.
5. The record is updated and the date of the next visit is given.

After the procedure

Most children are completely well afterwards. A sore arm or leg, a mild fever or being a little unsettled for a day or two is common and expected; paracetamol can be used as advised for the age and weight. Serious reactions are very rare, which is why we observe for a short time after each dose.

You will be given written instructions covering activity, wound or puncture-site care where relevant, which medicines to restart and when, and the warning signs that mean you should contact us or attend the emergency department. A follow-up appointment or a phone review is arranged before you leave.

Benefits and risks

The main benefit is a clear answer or effective treatment that changes what happens next — a firm diagnosis, a blocked passage reopened, symptoms brought under control, or a condition safely monitored over time. For most people the procedure is straightforward and complications are uncommon.

No procedure is entirely without risk. The ones to be aware of for this treatment include:

• Redness, swelling or tenderness at the injection site
• A mild fever or irritability for a day or two
• A small, painless lump at the site that settles over weeks
• Very rarely, an allergic reaction, which the clinic is equipped to treat immediately

The team is trained and equipped to recognise and manage these, and the consent discussion covers how likely each is in your case and what is done to reduce it.

Results and follow-up

There is no result to report; protection builds over the days and weeks after each dose, and the schedule is designed so that the full course gives lasting immunity. Your consultant explains what the result means in the context of your symptoms and examination, and sets out the next step — reassurance and discharge, a change of treatment, a further test, or a planned review. With your consent a summary is sent to your family doctor so that everyone caring for you is working from the same plan.

Questions patients ask

Do I need a referral?

You can book a consultation directly to discuss whether childhood vaccination is right for you. The procedure itself is arranged by the consultant after that discussion, once you have had time to consider it.

Will it hurt?

Discomfort is kept to a minimum with local anaesthetic, sedation or pain relief as appropriate to the procedure. The team will tell you exactly what you are likely to feel and will stop or pause if you need them to.

How long will I be at the hospital?

Most people are in and out within a few hours; where an overnight stay or a longer recovery is expected, that is explained clearly when the procedure is booked so you can plan around it.

To arrange childhood vaccination at your nearest AAF centre, book a consultation online or request a callback. Please bring a list of your current medicines and any previous test results or discharge summaries.