• Tuberculosis
• Hepatitis B
• Rabies
• Influenza (specific medical conditions apply)
• Pneumococcal infection (specific medical conditions apply)
• Varicella “Chickenpox”

Diptheria is a serious disease which usually begins with a sore throat and can quickly cause breathing problems. It can damage the heart and the nervous system and in severe cases it can kill.

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This is a virus present in stools passed by infected persons. It can be transmitted via contaminated food such as shellfish, ice cream etc, as well as contaminated water and other beverages. It can also be spread through poor hygiene.

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This is passed through vaginal or anal intercourse and as a result of blood-to-blood contact, for example by sharing needles (drug users), “needlestick” injuries etc.

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Hib is an infection caused by Haemophilus influenza type b bacteria. It can lead to a number of major illnesses such as blood poisoning (septicaemia) pneumonia and meningitis. The illnesses caused by Hib can kill if they are not treated quickly.

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Influenza is an acute viral infection of the respiratory tract. The illness may be complicated by bronchitis or otitis media (in children).

Severe influenza can be complicated by meningitis and encephalitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain) and it can be fatal.

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This is a viral disease, transmitted by mosquito bites. It causes serious inflammation to the brain which may lead to permanent brain damage. This unfortunately has a high mortality rate.

This vaccine is only available on a private basis.

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Measles is caused by a very infectious virus. Nearly everyone who catches this will have a high fever, a rash and be generally unwell. Children often have to spend 5 days in bed and may be off school for 10 days. Adults are likely to be ill for longer. Complications of measles affect 1 in every 15 children, and can include chest infections, fits, encephalitis (infection of the brain) and brain damage.

In very serious cases measles can kill. It can be spread over a wide area by a cough or sneeze, and is one of the most infectious diseases known. Because of the infectious nature, if your child is not immunised, they are likely to catch it.

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This vaccine stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies against groups A C W135 & Y strains of meningococcal bacteria. And it prevents meningitis caused by these bacteria.

It is not given routinely, and is only given to those people travelling to high risk areas, e.g. Saudi Arabia for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages to Mecca – a certificate of vaccination is required before the traveller can be issued with a travel visa. This vaccine is only available on a private basis.

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Meningitis is an infection of the lining of the brain. Meningitis can be caused by several types of bacteria or viruses. Infection with meningococcal bacteria can also cause diseases such as meningitis, septicaemia (blood poisoning), pericarditis (inflammation of the lining of the sac which contains the heart) and arthritis (swelling of the joints). Septicaemia is a very serious condition when the blood stream is infected.

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Mumps is caused by a virus which can lead to fever, headache and painful swollen glands in the face, neck and jaw. It can result in permanent deafness, viral meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain) and encephalitis.

It can (rarely) cause painful testicle swelling in males and ovaries in females. It usually lasts for up to 10 days.

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Whooping Cough is a disease that can cause longs bouts of coughing and choking, which make it difficult to breathe. It can last for up to 10 weeks. Babies under 1 year old are most at risk from this. For these babies, the illness is very serious and it can kill, although it is not usually so serious in older children.

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Adult
Pneumococcal infection is one of the most common causes of pneumonia, meningitis and middle-ear infections (ottis media). It especially affects the very young, the elderly, people with impaired immunity and those with an absent, or non-functioning spleen.

Child
Pneumococcal infection is one of the most common causes of meningitis but it also caused ear infections (ottis media) pneumonia and some other serious illnesses.

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Polio is a virus which attacks the nervous system. It can cause permanent paralysis of muscles. If it affects the chest muscles or the brain it can be fatal. The vaccine is very effective, and in the UK there have been no cases of natural polio infection since 1984.

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Rabies is caused by a virus which attacks the nervous system. It is usually transmitted through the saliva of an infected dog, bat, fox, or monkey. Once visible symptoms have developed the mortality rate is almost 100%, as very few people are known to have survived a rabies infection.

This is only available on a private basis to travellers. Some high risk occupations may qualify for NHS funded immunisation.

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This is a disease caused by a virus, and can be mild in children, as a result going unnoticed. It causes a short-lived rash, swollen glands and a sore throat. Rubella is very serious for unborn babies, and can seriously damage sight, hearing, heart and brain.

Rubella infection in the first 3 months of pregnancy causes damage to the unborn baby in 9 out of 10 cases, and pregnant women can catch this from their own, or their friends children.

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Tetanus is a disease affecting the nervous system which can lead to muscle spasms, cause breathing problems and it can also kill.

It is caused when germs which are found in soil and manure get into the body through open cuts or burns. Tetanus cannot be passed from person to person however.

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This is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected tick or, less commonly, by ingestion of unpasteurised milk from infected animals, especially goats. People develop flu-like illness and this may effect the central nervous system.

This vaccine is only available on a private basis.

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TB usually affects the lungs, but it can affect other parts of the body such as the lymph glands, bones, joints and kidneys. Most cases are cured with treatment. TB can also cause a very serious form of meningitis.

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This is an infectious feverish disease with severe symptoms in the digestive system. It can be life-threatening. It is transmitted from human to human via food or drinking water.

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This is a highly contagious viral illness that is common in children. Vaccination may be given to at risk groups such as pregnant women who have not had Chickenpox, people with weak immune systems, and people on long-term corticosteroids.

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Please see our special page on Yellow Fever.

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