Hi Lovelies,
Moving can be hard especially with a baby, one thing that no one mentions when they talk about settling in a new country is immunisation.
*Personally, I’m pro-vaccine. I was vaccinated as a child and I intend to fully vaccinate all my children regardless where we live. If you choose not to vaccinate your little one then this post might not be for you.
My son (Baby E as most of you know him) was born in Melbourne back in 2015; he received his 2 months and 4 months vaccines in Melbourne at our local clinic. In Australia we have a book to keep all the baby’s developmental records including immunisation. I know every country is different and in Kenya it’s a card instead a book to keep track of the baby’s immunisation.
At 5 months I travelled with Baby E to Kenya and we spent a year there, a few weeks after settling in Kenya his 6 months vaccinations were due. We weren’t fully prepared what we had to do to get them done. First we visited his pediatrician who recommended Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital in Lavington, which was the closest children’s hospital to our house.
We booked an appointment. I wanted to follow the schedule on his Baby book. In Kenya there is a completely different immunisation schedule because of course it is designed to best protect the babies living Kenya.
At the Children’s Hospital we were told that they have the two shots but not the drop! This was the 3rd dose and there was no way he wasn’t going to get it. So Hubby and I went on a mission to physically go and look for the drop. We went to Dr. Chunge, Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi Women’s hospital with no luck then * Drum roll please * we finally found the drop at Nairobi Hospital. We purchased it and then we were told that no one is available to administer it.
The problem here is I needed a professional to administer it because there are very specific details that need to be filled in the book like the batch number and it needs to be signed/ stamped and dated. We had to go to Dr Claire Majisu Baby E’s pediatrician to administer it and she happily did so.
His 12 months vaccine were way smoother than these, his doctor had all of the shots available at her clinic. It’s important to note that these vaccines will cost you around $100 so don’t assume it will be free as it is in most countries.
When we moved back to Melbourne I took my baby’s book into our local city council and had his records updated on the system that his immunisation is up to date. A few weeks after our arrival it was time for his 18 months shots and he was a complete champ, he even earned a sticker. Now we have 2 years until the next run of vaccinations.
If you don’t document you child’s immunisation while traveling, you baby might end up getting a lot of vaccines at once when you return to your country.
If you’re traveling with you baby don’t forget the travel vaccinations for the baby and you will receive a yellow book to take with you. If your traveling to Kenya because you will be asked about those vaccinations at the airport.
Have you traveled with a small baby before?
Was your baby ever vaccinated in another country?
Help me get one step closer to my blogging goals by following me on Social media
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Thanks for stopping by,
You can find this post linked to these fabulous blog link ups
Dream Team | Twinkly Tuesday | #Coolmumclub | #Blogstravaganza | #KCACOLS
Some great advice for parents who travel with babies. I am also pro vaccination and believe that you need to vaccinate to prevent infectious diseases. Great post! #dreamteam
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m also pro vaccination especially for the little ones, that’s why I made sure my son had all of his vaccinations on time regardless of where we were.
Thanks for reading my post and commenting xx
LikeLike
I’ve never had to have mine immunised in a different country but it sounds like it can be complicated!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it’s was a little hard finding the doses given that we weren’t following the kenyan immunisation schedule and we were following the Australian one. In the end we did manage to find it.
Thanks for stopping by xx
LikeLike
This is really thought provoking to read. I’m also completely pro-vaccine and I’ve always thanked my lucky stars for each stage of immunisation which we are handed on a plate so easily in the UK. I didn’t realise how much harder it would be to get these vaccines abroad though. Definitely worth every ounce of effort though. Thanks for linking to #DreamTeam x
LikeLiked by 1 person
one of the nurses at the children’s hospital tried to convince us to skip the drop because they didn’t have it in stock and said it’s his 3rd dose so he’ll be fine… obviously both hubby and I didn’t agree then we went on the hunt for the drop at all the hospitals we could think of.
In Australia immunisation is straight forward you simply take your bub to your local GP, even our local council runs monthly sessions where you can get your baby vaccinated there.
Thanks for reading my post and commenting xx
LikeLike
I am pro vaccination for my own children’s safety and that of other children as there are some who genuinely can’t have it and rely on everyone else. I think it should be easier to get in every country and maybe an international system could be created #globalblogging
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think vaccinations should be accessible and affordable everywhere which unfortunately might not be the case, however they are worth every penny. I’m also pro-vaccinations.
Thanks for reading my post and commenting xx
LikeLike
Crikey it’s one of those things you absolutely take for granted here in the U.K.
Sounds like you were on a mission! Good for you…
thanks for sharing with #coolmumclub
LikeLiked by 1 person
I never realised it was going to turn into a mission to get his 6 months immunisation but we luckily managed.
Thanks for commenting xx
LikeLike
I’m totally pro-vaccine! This is a really informative post, perfect for parents who may be in a similar situation. Thanks so much for sharing with #Blogstravaganza xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for hosting #Blogstravaganza, I really enjoy joining in the fun.
Glad we both have a similar stand about vaccinating our little ones 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post, I totally agree with you about vaccinations. They absolutely are essential and I don’t understand parents who don’t get their kids vaccinated. This was a really interesting read, it must be a nightmare trying to make sure your child has all the right vaccinations when you’re abroad. X #blogstravaganza
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think if anyone is thinking of travelling with a child around the time the child’s vaccination is due it’s important to be aware that it might not be as easy or as straight forward in other countries.
I’ve personally heard from mothers who choose not to vaccinate their children and everyone strongly believes they are making the best choice for their child.
Thanks for reading my post and commenting xx
LikeLike
Good advice, something I wouldn’t even have thoughts about if I moved overseas with a baby. I’m also pro-vaccine, the pros definitely outweigh the cons in my opinion. #KCACOLS
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s usually the last thing people think about when moving overseas.
I’m also pro-vaccine 🙂 Thanks for reading and commenting xx
LikeLike
This is really insightful and informative. I an glad to hear your experience of vaccines got better X #dreamteam
LikeLiked by 1 person
It got easier and better with time, thanks for reading my post and commenting xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow I have lived my whole life in the uk and it has been so easy to organise their vaccinations, you are very good to go to so much effort to keep to schedule, good job. I believe vaccinations are very important.
Thanks so much for linking up with #kcacols. We hope you can join us next time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reading my post and commenting, I have to agree with you vaccinations are very important
LikeLike
Wow, a little complicated. Glad you managed to get E sorted out in the end. My bubby just had some of his vaccinations this week. In Britain, we have the red book that is a child’s medical history until they’re five. Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
In Australia it’s a green book but I’m not sure if that colour is only for our state or the entire country though. I hope your bub managed well after his vaccinations because some babies get fever.
Thanks for commenting xx
LikeLike
Really useful tip about well documenting them. We are going to be travelling a lot more in the next few years so this is really helpful thank you. x #kcacols
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re most welcome, I’m glad this helped you. I haven’t seen a lot of people talking about vaccinating their kids while overseas either living or visiting because sometimes things are not as straight forward.
Thank you so much for reading my post and commenting xx
LikeLike
I’ve not travelled abroad with a baby but this is really interesting. My daughter is fully immunized also #kcacols
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reading my post Tracy, glad you found it interesting xx
LikeLike
Brilliant post (as I said above). Very informative and useful info here for travelling parents. #kcacols
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much xx
LikeLike