Things you need to know about Children's Vaccination in India
Since its invention in 1798, vaccines have saved humanity from extinction by protecting the masses from serious diseases that were rampant in earlier times. Since 1798, vaccines have come a long way, and today many diseases that were previously known as endemics and epidemics are known as preventable diseases thanks to vaccines.
Vaccines are especially required for pregnant women, babies, and infants; these people remain at a higher risk of diseases/illnesses that can be prevented by taking vaccines. Today, the government, health advisory board of India, and UNICEF all recommend a specific vaccination schedule for children that begin at birth and continue till the child is almost 15 years of age. This vaccination schedule is good for protecting your child against various serious diseases that, in the worst case, can be fatal or cause physical disabilities.
So now that you understand the need for vaccinating your child, let's take a look at the vaccination schedule that you should follow for your child to keep them safe from various diseases.
Vaccination Schedule For Children By Age
At Birth
Vaccines administered at the birth of the child correspond to vaccines that are given as soon as possible, which is within the first 24 hours of the child's birth. Let's look at what these vaccines are and the diseases they help prevent.
BCG Vaccine
BCG Vaccines help protect children against tuberculosis. A dosage of 0.1ml is administered intra-dermally into the upper left arm of the child within the first 24 hours of the child's birth. This is the first dose or dose 1 of the BCG vaccine.
Hep B Vaccine
The Hep B Vaccine protects children against Hepatitis B. A 0.5ml dose of this vaccine is administered inside the anterolateral side of the left mid-thigh of the child. This vaccine is called the birth dose, and it needs to be administered within the first 24 hours of the child's birth.
OP Vaccine
The Oral Polio Vaccine protects the child against Polio. The dose 0 is administered orally to the child within the first 24 hours of their birth or at least within the first 15 days of the child's life. As the vaccine is administered orally, two drops of the vaccine are orally administered.
6-8 Weeks After Birth
Rota Virus Vaccine
The RVV protects you against the Rota Virus disease with an oral vaccine that is delivered in three doses at different times. The first dose of 5 drops needs to be delivered within the first 6-8 weeks of the child's birth.
OP Vaccine
The first dose of the Oral Polio (OP) vaccine is given to children between the age of 6-8 weeks. The dosage for the second dose is five drops, and it is given orally, as the name suggests.
Pentavalent Vaccine
The Pentavalent vaccine protects children from five diseases because this vaccine is a combination of five individual vaccines. It protects the child against Diptheria, Pertussis, Hepatitis B, Hib, and tetanus. This vaccine is administered as an intramuscular vaccine on the anterolateral side of the left mid-thigh of the child with a dosage of 0.5 ml. The first done needs to be delivered between the first 6-8 weeks of the child's birth.
8-14 Weeks After Birth
OP Vaccine
The second and third doses of the Oral Polio vaccine are given to the child within the first 8-14 weeks of their birth with a dosage of 5 drops per dose.
Pentavalent Vaccine
The second and third doses of the pentavalent vaccine need to be given to the child during this time period as well at 10 weeks and 14 weeks, respectively. The dosage remains the same at 0.5 ml per dose.
Rota Virus Vaccine
The second and third dose of the RVV needs to be orally given to the child in this time range as well, with a dosage of 5 drops per dose.
IP Vaccine
The Inactivated Polio Vaccine is another form of polio vaccine that needs to be administered to the child at the age of 14 weeks. This vaccine needs to be administered intramuscularly on the anterolateral side of the right mid-thigh of the child.
Above The Age Of 14 Weeks Till 1 Year
Measles Vaccine
The measles vaccine protects the child against measles. It needs to be delivered to the child after they have completed 9 months of age and between 12 months of age. In case, the child misses it, they can get this vaccine till 5 years of age as well. This is a subcutaneous vaccine with a dosage of 0.5 ml that needs to be administered in the right upper arm of the child.
Vitamin A Vaccine
The first dose of the vitamin A vaccine is given orally along with the measles vaccine with a dosage of 1ml.
Conclusion
Vaccinating your child/children is one of the most important things that you have to do as a parent to guarantee them a healthy and safe life growing up. If you are interested in learning, you can find more information about the immunisation schedule followed in India from this link here. If you are a new parent in Jodhpur, and you want to get guidance and help on vaccinating your child, be sure to visit Medipulse hospital for the best care and affordable vaccination services in accordance with the government schedule.