PARENTS in Bahrain will now be able to protect their children against five major diseases with one vaccination, approved by the Health Ministry yesterday.

The vaccine will protect children from tetanus, diphtheria, polio, whooping cough and haemophilus influenza infections such as meningitis and pneumonia, said Public Health Directorate Communicable Diseases Section head Dr Muna Al Mousawi.

"It has to be injected three times within the child's first four months and should be followed by a booster at 15 months," she said.

"We are working on recommendations of the World Health Organisation, which says prevention is always better than cure in child health care.

"This one vaccine also means the children will avoid repeated 'painful' jabs as protection against several diseases."

Single vaccines also improved parents' co-operation with the vaccination programme, said Dr Al Mousawi.

She also highlighted the advantages of the vaccine in the campaign to eradicate polio.

"The injection has advantages over oral polio drops because it reduces the risk of paralysis and can also be used for immuno-deficient children among whom drops cannot be used," said Dr Al Mousawi.

She said it is also more temperature stable and easier to transport and more reliable because there is no chance of the child spitting it out.

The vaccine will be phased into the public health programme and the oral polio drops will gradually be replaced.

Bahrain is now one of 100 countries which have started using this vaccine.

mandeep@gdn.com.bh