Not from bullies, sticks and stones, or hazardous objects. But from things like the measles, mumps, Rubella, or pertussis -- otherwise known as the whooping cough.

Some babies and young children from getting such diseases because their parents fail to understand the importance of having them immunised.

There are now vaccines that prevent the most common serious communicable diseases of childhood.

And it is likely that over the next decade immunisation programmes for children will change significantly with the introduction of new vaccines and new approaches to controlling communicable disease.

Chief Medical Officer John Cann said immunisation protects children against these diseases. It protects most children completely. Very rarely an immunised child does catch one of the diseases, but it is then usually very much milder and far less dangerous than if the child had not been immunised.

He added that immunisation against whooping cough, diphtheria and polio not only protects the child who is immunised, it will also reduce risk within your family later, if you have another child.

"A new baby is always at risk from germs carried by older children. If the older children are immunised, then the baby is less at risk.

"The vaccines which immunise against whooping cough, diphtheria and tetanus are usually combined into one triple vaccine which is given by injection.

Polio vaccine is given by mouth, usually at the same time as the `triple' vaccine,'' Dr. Cann said.

He added that immunisations are currently provided through physicians' offices, and through public health clinics. Parents who have questions about immunisations should contact their child's physician, or visit a public health clinic.

The Department of Health has recently revised its recommended childhood immunisation schedule.

The schedule will come into effect on January 1, 1997. The department acted on the basis or recommendations from an advisory committee, The Bermuda Advisory Committee on Immunisation (BACIP).

The committee, including consultant paediatricians Dr. June Hill and Dr. Dente Lundh, nurse Diana Simons, and medical officer Dr. Lalitha Anandagoda of the Department of Health, recommended the introduction of a vaccine to prevent hepatitis B along with several other changes.

The immunisations are designed to provide protection against a number of diseases, including: Diphtheria (D) Haemophilus influenza type b disease Hepatitis B Measles (M) Mumps (M) Polio (TOPV) Rubella (German Measles) (R) Tetanus (lock jaw) (T) Whooping Cough (Pertussis) (P) Diphtheria is a very severe disease. It can cause an infection in the nose and throat that blocks breathing. It can also cause ear infections and can be complicated by heart failure and nerve damage.

It is rare in Bermuda, but it is common in other parts of the world where the vaccine is not used.

Diphtheria vaccine is usually given in combination with Pertussis vaccine and tetanus toxoid. Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) disease occurs most often in children less than two years of age. The most common illness caused by Hib is Meningitis.

Hepatitis B is a virus that causes infection of the liver. The virus is found in the blood and certain body fluids.

Measles can be prevented by vaccinating all children early. Measles is now rare in Bermuda and Caribbean.

Mumps is now a rare disease as well.

Polio, although rare in Bermuda, is still common in many other parts of the world. It can cause permanent paralysis. Rubella (German Measles) can be prevented. Rubella vaccine is usually given in combination with measles and mumps vaccine.

Tetanus is also called lock jaw. The disease is rare in Bermuda, but is very common in parts of the world where the vaccine is not used. Regular booster injections are necessary every ten years after childhood, to ensure protection throughout adulthood. The vaccine is not needed after every cut if regular boosters have been given.

Whooping cough (Pertussis) can be very severe in infants. It can be prevented by vaccination. A vaccine for Chicken Pox (Varicella) has been licensed.

However, it is not one of the vaccines routinely given in Bermuda.

The schedule for active immunisations for infants and children is as follows: At two months they should receive DPT, TOPV, PedVax.

At four months DPT, TOPV, PedVax.

At six months DPT.

At 12 months PedVax.

At 15 months MMR.

At 18 months DPT, TOPV.

At five years DPT, TOPV At 10 years MMR.

At 15 years Td TOPV (repeat every 10 years).

WHEN THE CLINICS ARE OPEN When the clinics are open Government Baby clinics can be found throughout the Island and they are open in the afternoon from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Hamilton: Hamilton Health Care, Victoria Street 236-0224 ext. 314 Monday, Tuesday and Friday.

Mangrove Bay: Somerset Health Centre, Mangrove Bay Road 234-0339, Friday.

Warwick: Behind Warwick Post Office 236-0649, Monday.

Devonshire: Prospect Clinic, Alexandra Road 236-0224 ext. 307, Wednesday.

Smith's: Penhurst, Middle Road next to Glimmerview 295-4942, Tuesday.

St. George's: Health Centre across from St. George's Secondary 297-8200, Friday.

No appointment is required.