Ideally, baby care-givers, should get vaccinations to protect your baby against infection. Your baby is vulnerable to infection as the immune system is developing. Your family members and caregiver should ensure up-to-date vaccinations to create a "protective shield” around your baby.

#1 Influenza (Flu) vaccine

Flu is rarely life-threatening but highly contagious. Babies can get serious flu complications and very high fever like 40 degrees’ C with poor appetite. He/she may need admission for drip and treatment. Hence, you and your family should get vaccinated against flu annually. Mothers are encouraged to have the routine flu jab during pregnancy.

#2 Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis) vaccine

Newborns and infants are susceptible to whooping cough with increasing infections in children recently. Caregivers should get a Tdap booster every 10 years. Mothers are encouraged to get vaccinated during pregnancy. Whooping cough (AKA 100-days cough) can be serious and life-threatening for babies. Tetanus infection is rare in Singapore, although it is still common in Asia.

#3 MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine

Your baby will receive her MMR vaccine at 12 months of age. Thus, he/she is at risk of MMR infection before one year old. A single booster of MMR vaccine will provide life-long protection for the caregivers.

#4 Varicella (Chickenpox) and Shingles

Chicken pox (CP) is common but highly contagious in children. In babies, CP can cause serious complications. You may still get chickenpox despite receiving the vaccine, but with mild rash. If you have had chickenpox in the past, you are very unlikely to catch it again as the virus stays dormant in your body. However, this may resurface as shingles rash later in life. Caregivers above age of 60 should consider getting vaccinated against shingles as it can spread to the baby and cause chickenpox in him/her.

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