Vaccines protect children from serious infections such as measles, whooping cough, polio, hepatitis and pneumonia. Each dose is timed for the age when a child needs protection most, so following the vaccination schedule and keeping the vaccination card up to date is one of the most important things parents can do for their child's health.

Many parents ask about "painless" vaccines. These use a newer form of the whooping cough (pertussis) component and usually cause less fever, swelling and crying after the injection than the older version. They are equally effective, and the doctor will explain which options suit your child's age and schedule.

Before the visit, bring the vaccination card and tell the doctor if your child has fever, is taking any medicines or has had a reaction to an earlier vaccine. Feeding or cuddling the baby during and after the injection helps them settle. Mild pain, redness at the injection site or a low fever for a day is common. Give medicines only as the doctor advises, and seek care if your child has a high fever, breathing difficulty, unusual drowsiness or continuous crying.

If a dose has been missed, there is no need to restart the schedule. The doctor will plan catch-up doses based on your child's age and previous vaccines. InfoCare is a complete vaccination centre with painless vaccination options and reminders for your child's next dose.