What every parent should know

WHO notes that measles can cause serious complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis, mostly in children under five, and that two doses of measles-containing vaccine provide strong protection. Routine schedules, such as the NHS childhood schedule, are timed to protect children at the ages they are most vulnerable. When coverage falls, outbreaks return, and WHO has tracked rises in measles cases in many regions in recent years.

01Measles

Measles spreads through the air and is one of the most contagious diseases known. It starts with fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed by a rash. Complications can be severe, especially in young children.

What helps

  • Give both doses of the measles-containing vaccine (such as MMR) on schedule.
  • Check older children's and your own records and catch up on missed doses.
  • Check vaccine advice before travelling with young children.
  • Call ahead before taking a child with suspected measles to a clinic, so others are protected.

02Whooping cough and other infections

Whooping cough (pertussis) is most dangerous for young babies. Vaccines in pregnancy and in the infant schedule protect them. Other routine vaccines protect against meningitis, pneumonia and other serious infections.

What helps

  • Ask about whooping cough vaccination during pregnancy where it is offered.
  • Follow the infant schedule on time; delays leave babies unprotected for longer.
  • Keep babies away from people with coughs and colds where you can.
  • Ask your doctor or nurse if you are unsure what your child has had.

03Missed or delayed vaccines

Moves, illness, appointment problems or questions about vaccines can leave children behind schedule. It is usually possible to catch up.

What helps

  • Keep your child's vaccination record somewhere easy to find.
  • Ask your clinic for a catch-up plan if doses were missed.
  • Bring your questions about vaccines to a doctor, nurse or health visitor.
  • Check the schedule again when you move country, as schedules differ.

Weekly checklist for parents of under-fives

  • Check your child's vaccination record against the national schedule.
  • Book the next due appointment before you leave the clinic.
  • Keep a copy of vaccination records with you when travelling.
  • Wash hands and keep sick contacts away from young babies.
  • Know the warning signs of serious illness in young children.
  • Check your own vaccinations, too.

When to see a professional

  • A high temperature in a baby under three months, or 39°C or above in a baby aged three to six months.
  • A rash with fever, especially if the child seems unwell.
  • Coughing fits, especially with a whoop or pauses in breathing in a baby.
  • Questions about catching up on missed vaccines.

Call emergency services for a child who is hard to wake, floppy, struggling to breathe, has a seizure, or has a rash that does not fade when a glass is pressed against it.

Where ONU fits

ONU is for adults and does not track children's health. Parents can use ONU to keep their own health records and trends in one place. Your child's clinic and official vaccination record remain the place to keep their immunisations up to date.

Try ONU Health today

Common questions

Why are two doses of measles vaccine needed?

A second dose protects children who did not respond fully to the first, giving very high overall protection, according to WHO.

Can my child catch up on missed vaccines?

Usually yes. Clinics can make a catch-up plan; you generally do not need to restart the schedule.

Are vaccine schedules the same everywhere?

No. Schedules differ by country. Follow your local schedule and ask for a catch-up plan if you move.

Sources and further reading

Educational information drawn from the public-health sources listed on this page. It is not a diagnosis, a treatment plan or a guarantee that you will avoid an illness or injury. ONU does not diagnose, treat or prevent disease. Speak to a qualified professional about anything that concerns you, and follow the rules of your employer, sport or local health service.