Immunization

Immunization


You have the power to protect your baby from dangerous illnesses like measles, tetanus and hepatitis. Immunization is the process whereby a person is made immune or resistant to a disease which is infectious. Vaccines when administered, stimulates the body’s immune system to fight against microorganisms that cause diseases. This protects the person against subsequent infection. Doctors and other public health experts have worked hard to come up with the optimal vaccination schedule that provides complete protection against infectious diseases such as Tuberculosis, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Measles, Typhoid, Hepatitis A and B, Chicken pox etc. If these vaccines are skipped or delayed, they lead to an increased chance of you being vulnerable to these diseases, thus it is advisable to be given at the right time as advised by your doctor. Vaccination in India is carried out under the Universal Immunization Programme which is run by the government, these are the necessary vaccines required to be given to all children. The Indian Academy of Pediatrics also has its own schedule containing additional vaccines which can be given after discussion with the doctor. IAP Immunization schedules are modified every few years so that newer vaccinations can be added.

IAP schedule as follows:

  • At Birth - BCG + OPV (zerodose) + HepB1
  • 6 weeks - IPV1 + DPT1* + Hib1 + HepB2 + PCV1 + Rotavirus1
  • 10 weeks - IPV2 + DPT2* + Hib2 + PCV2 + Rotavirus2
  • 14 weeks - IPV3 + DPT3* + Hib3 + Rotavirus3#
  • 6 months - OPV1 + HepB3 + IV
  • 7 months - IV
  • 9 months - OPV2 + MMR1
  • 1 year - HepA1 + Dental Checkup
  • 15 - 18 months - Chiken pox + MMR + PCV + IPV1 + DPT1 + Hib1
  • 18 months - HepA2
  • 2 years - TV + Dental Checkup + Eye Checkup
  • 3 years - Preventive Dental Treatment
  • 5 years - OP3 + DPT2 + CPV2
  • 5 - 6 years - TV + Dental Checkup + Eye Checkup
  • 8 - 9 years - TV
  • 10 years - TDPV
  • 10 years Female - HPV

Notes:

  • DPT: It is given either as DPaT or DPwT
  • HPV is given only in females (3 doses at 0,1-2 months and 6 months interval)
  • Rotavirus 3rd dose may be required only with one brand)
  • MMR 2nd dose can be given at any time 4-8 weeks after the first dose
  • The 3rd dose of Hepatitis B vaccine can be given at 6 months of age
  • Varicella 2nd dose canbe given anytime 3 months from the first dose
  • PCV= Pneumococcal conjugated vaccine, IPV= Injectable polio vaccine, Varicella vaccine = Protects against chickenpox, Tdap = Tetanus toxoid + adult dose of pertussis and diphtheria toxoid, Td = Tetanus toxoid + adult dose of pertussis toxoid, HPV= Human papillomavirus