Vaccination: time for another push
Since the 1998 MMR scare entered popular mythology, the public has become less willing to accept vaccination. With the uptake of some existing vaccines still too low and several new vaccines on the way, health professionals must be proactive in educating parents about the benefits and safety of immunisation, says Pat Scowen

Early recognition of meningitis and septicaemia
In the current swine flu pandemic there is a risk that the diagnosis of meningitis may be missed, especially as early symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia resemble those of flu. Dr Claire Knight and Linda Glennie give an update on recognising meningitis and septicaemia, and explain good practice in monitoring a sick and feverish child

Baby LifeCheck – is it a public health initiative?
Antonia Wood discusses the Department of Health’s online Baby LifeCheck for parents and carers and concludes that while in some ways it may be a usable health promotion tool, it falls short of being a public health initiative. Practitioners as well as tools are needed to deliver the child health agenda

Complementary feeding for infants 6 to 12 months
Dietitian and public health nutritionist Kathy Cowbrough reviews current thinking on the introduction of complementary feeding – the term increasingly used at the international level in preference to weaning

Vaccination for tomorrow: the need to improve immunisation rates
Important new vaccines will soon be available but will not be fully effective unless immunisation rates improve. Dr George Kassianos, Immunisation Lead for the Royal College of General Practitioners, suggests ways for health professionals and PCTs to be more proactive in educating parents about the benefits and safety of vaccination

Allergies in children
For children with who present with one allergy it is important to ask about the presence of other allergies and treat these appropriately, as Dr Samantha Walker and Annie Wing explain. An estimated 25% of the British population suffers from some form of allergic condition and health professionals caring for allergic clients should be encouraged to access training when needed

Understanding cleft lip and palate. 4: Surgery and continuing care
In the final article in this series, consultant plastic surgeon Rona Slator and colleagues from the Cleft Team at Birmingham Children’s Hospital describe the ongoing care needed through childhood to early adulthood  

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