As the title suggests I am attempting to provide some clarity on the various recommended childhood immunisations, what they prevent and the suggested age for them to be administered. I for one have had difficulties with remembering what vaccines are given and when and what some of them protect against.

I also had a problem as my son started on the UK schedule and after 4 months we were transitioned onto the US schedule.

I hope it helps to clarify the timing of childhood immunisations.   

Diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP)  

Diphtheria  can cause breathing difficulties, heart problems, nerve damage, pneumonia, and possibly death. The risk of serious complications is greater in very young children and the elderly. Tetanus (or lockjaw) causes seizures and severe muscle spasms that can be strong enough to cause bone fractures of the spine. The disease occurs almost exclusively among those who do not get vaccinated or do not have enough protection from previous vaccines.Pertussis (whooping cough) causes severe spells of coughing that can interfere with breathing. Pertussis can also cause pneumonia, long lasting bronchitis, seizures, brain damage, and death. 

UK : The first shot is given at two months of age with a booster shot at three months and another at four months.  

USA: The first shot is given at the age of two months with a booser at four months and another at six months.  

Haemophilus influenza type b conjugate vaccine (Hib)  

Hib is a bacterium which causes serious ilnesses and in some instances death chiefly through meningitis and pneumonia.  

UK : The first shot is given at two months of age with another at three months and the final one at four months.  

USA: The first shot is given at  the age of two months and another at four months, depending on the manufacturer a thrid dose may be administered at 6 months. 

Meningitis C   This vaccination protects against infection from the meningococcal C disease.  

UK : The first shot is given at the age of two months with additional shots at three months and four months.  

USA: Is not given as standard.  

Hepatitis A (Hep A)  

The hepatitis A infection is generally passed on through consumption of food or water contaminated with faecal matter. Hepatits A causes inflamation of the liver.  

UK : This virus is not part of the childhood immunisation program in the UK  

USA: Two doses are given after the age of one, at least six months apart.   

Hepatitis B (Hep B)  

Hepatitis B is a major cause of serious liver diseases including liver cancer. You get hepatitis B by being exposed to someone else's body fluids and people infected with hepatitis B can pass it on without knowing. Pregnant women can also give hepatitis B to their unborn child.  

UK : At birth only to those mothers who test positive to Hepatitis B.  

USA: The first dose is administered prior to baby leaving hospital, a second dose is given at 1-2  months and a third after 24 weeks old.  

Influenza  

Flu shot.  

UK : Is not administered as standard.  

USA: Is given annually after the age of 6 months.  

Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)  

Measles, mumps and rubella (also known as German measles)  

UK : The first shot is given at 13 months with a booster around the age of three and a half.  

 USA: The first shot is given between 12-15 months with a booster at the age of four.  

Meningococcal vaccine  

Can help prevent two of the three important types of the meningococcal disease.  

UK : Is not part of the childhood immunisation schedule.  

USA:  Is given after the age of 2  

Pneumococcal vaccine  

Is an infection spread by airborne droplets of  the streptococcus pneumoniae bacterium which invades the respiratory system and can cause pneumonia, bacteremia, and meningitis.  

UK : One shot at two months of age, another at four and a third around thirteen months.  

USA:  One shot at two months of age, another at four months and a third at six months.  

Rotavirus (Rota)   The virus causes fever and vomiting and is one of the main causes of diarrhea amongst children in the USA.  

UK : The vaccine is not part of the UK schedule  

USA: Two, four and six months.  

Varicella   Vaccinates against the chicken pox virus.  

UK: Not currently part of the UK schedule  

USA: First shot at 12 months and a second one at the age of four.  

I have utilsed the CDC and the NHS websites to ensure the above information is correct and as up to date as possible as of April 2008.  Apolgies that this is limited to UK and USA, once my head has stopped spinning with all the info I may get around to looking at other countries!