5 Must-Have Vaccines for Your Baby

Being a new parent can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to vaccinations for your baby. With so many options available, it can be challenging to know which ones are essential. Should you go to a private clinic or a health centre? Well, worry not! We've got you covered.

5 Mandatory Vaccinations for Babies

New parents should be aware that the Department of Health offers free vaccinations for children in stages and you can get these essential vaccinations for free:

1. BCG Vaccine: Effective in preventing serious complications caused by tuberculosis, only one injection is required at birth.

2. Hepatitis B Vaccine: Effective in preventing Hepatitis B virus infection, three doses are required at birth, 1 month old and 6 months old.

3. Pneumococcal Vaccine: To reduce severe invasive pneumococcal infections (e.g. meningitis, bacteraemic pneumonia and septicaemia), three doses are required at 2 months old, 4 months old and 6 months old.

4. DTaP-IPV (4-in-1) Vaccine: For prevention of whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis, six injections are required at 2 months old, 4 months old, 6 months old, 1.5 years old, Primary 1 and Primary 6. However, nowadays, there is a 6-in-1 combination vaccine, which provides more comprehensive coverage and less frequent injections.

5. Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR) Vaccine: Effective in preventing the above three infectious diseases and requires two injections at the age of 1 and Primary 1.

Private Clinics vs. Health Centers: Which One Offers Better Protection for Your Baby?

The traditional 4-in-1 vaccine only provides protection against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, and polio. But did you know that private clinics offer a more comprehensive 6-in-1 vaccine that also protects against Haemophilus influenzae type B and Hepatitis B?

With the 6-in-1 vaccine, your baby only needs 4 doses at 2, 4, and 6 months old, and 1 to 1.5 years old, instead of multiple doses of Hepatitis B and 4-in-1 vaccine. This means less discomfort for your little one and fewer trips to the doctor's office. Plus, you'll have peace of mind knowing your baby is receiving the best possible protection against harmful diseases.

Therefore, parents are advised to take their babies to health centres for BCG, pneumococcal and MMR vaccinations and private clinics for the 6-in-1 combination vaccine.

You can also consider your baby's health condition and opt for additional vaccinations against other common infant diseases, such as oral rotavirus vaccine and Japanese encephalitis vaccine, which are only available in private clinics.

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