Does the immunisation offer full protection against the disease?
Immunisation does not protect 100% of all immunised patients due to a possible failure rate with every vaccination, and the need for booster doses to update immunity. Below are some general failure rates: • 5% of children who have been immunised against measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, polio and Hib vaccines will not be protected. • 15% of children immunised against whooping cough will not be protected – although should they get the disease, their symptoms will be less severe. • 5% of children immunised against hepatitis B will not be immunised. Why are children the dominant recipients for immunisations? Childhood is the most vulnerable age for serious infections and the common likelihood of childhood diseases – measles, mumps, whooping cough and rubella. A child’s immune system is not yet developed like an adult’s and needs help to fight against infection. Even though a transfer of antibodies through the placenta at birth and continued through breastfeeding, these antibodies eventual
