making sure that he or she gets all the required "shots'' or immunisations.

Amongst these preventable diseases is a serious illness called haemophilus influenzae type B meningitis . It is particularly worrying that despite the availability of a vaccine, unvaccinated children in the western world, including here in Bermuda, are affected by this life threatening infection every year.

What is haemophilus meningitis ? It is a bacterial infection of the covering layers of the brain, which if left untreated, will affect the brain itself.

The result may be seizures, hearing loss, permanent brain damage and even death.

With treatment, some children make a complete recovery. Sadly, not all affected children are so lucky, highlighting the fact that there is no substitute for prevention.

The good news is, with one or a series of shots, determined by the child's age, HIB meningitis is preventable.

So, as parents or care givers, what should you do? It is important to check on your child's shot record and look for the words HIB vaccine. Babies born in Bermuda in 1992 or earlier would have received the HIB shot at 18 months. From 1993 onwards the HIB conjugate vaccine (called PED VAX HIB) is given at age two months and four months. A PED VAX booster is required at between 12 and 15 months.

What if your child has fallen behind in his or her immunisations? Your doctor or clinic can arrange a series of shots to catch up on the vaccines missed.

Regarding the HIB shot, any child between 15 months and five years who had not received this, could be protected against the HIB meningitis by being given a single shot.

Babies under 15 months must also be given this shot without delay, and will need a series of two or three shots to protect them, since their immune systems are not mature.

Even a child who has recovered from haemophilus influenzae meningitis should receive the vaccine, if he or she is under the age of two years, to protect against future infection.

What are the side effects of the HIB conjugate vaccine? Some babies develop a redness, swelling or tender area at the site of injection within 24 hours after the second or third shot. Some experience a low grade fever, or moderate fever, and some may be fussy. These minor side effects can be helped by giving your baby a fever or pain remedy such as acetaminophen, of which many commercial brands are available at your local pharmacy.

The name of the HIB conjugate vaccine varies with the manufacturer. It is important to remember this fact if your baby received some of the immunisations in another country. The HIB vaccine presently available in Bermuda is called PED VAX HIB. Other brands are used elsewhere include HIB Titre and Prohibit. Your doctor or clinic nurse will know.

In some parts of the world, parents walk miles to reach an immunisation clinic. We, in Bermuda are fortunate that shots are easily available to every child.

Let's take the time and the effort to take our children to the doctor or clinic to get their shots up to date.