HEALTH TIPS
Immunization Know-How
Information about Immunization, recommended vaccination schedules, and other vaccines.
A lot of confusion abounds today about immunization procedures, especially for children. Apart from the mandatory immunization procedure, should children also be vaccinated against diseases like chicken pox, typhoid etc? Here we discuss the recommended immunization schedule and go in depth about the other vaccines which are available.
Recommended childhood vaccination schedule
The Government of India adopted the Universal Immunization Programme in 1985. This has been partly modified by the Indian Academy of Paediatrics, the official body of paediatricians. Both are displayed below.
| Vaccine |
Govt
of India |
IAP
Schedule |
BCG
(against tuberculosis) |
Birth or 6 weeks |
Birth – 2 weeks |
OPV
(against Polio) |
Birth 6,10,14 weeks, 15-18 months |
Birth 6,10,14 weeks, 15-18 months, 5 years |
HB
(against Hepatitis B) |
|
Birth, 6 weeks, 6-9 months, 10 years |
DPT
(against diphteria, whooping cough, tetanus |
6,10,14 weeks, 15-18 months |
6,10,14 weeks, 15-18 months, 5 years |
| Measles |
9 months |
9 months plus |
MMR
(against measles,mumps,rubella or German measles |
|
15-18 months |
DT
(against diphtheria and tetanus) |
5 years |
|
TT
(against tetanus) |
10 and 16 years |
10-16 years |
Other vaccines available
The following vaccines do not form part of the Universal Immunization Programme and your family doctor is the best person to advise whether these vaccinations need to be taken or not.
These optional vaccines are
• Typhoid
• Haemophilus influenza B - HiB vaccine against bacterial meningitis
• Chicken pox
• Hepatitis A
• Pneumococcus against pneumonia
• Meningococcus against meningitis
Vaccines are administered via mouth drops like polio and typhoid vaccines or by injecting into the skin or muscles. The most commonly used site for injection is the outer aspect of the thighs. Doctors recommend that injections into the buttocks or the arms be avoided.
FAQ
Is it unsafe to immunize a child who has a mild illness?
A child with a minor illness can safely be immunized. Minor illnesses may include the following:
• Low-grade fever
• Ear infection
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Mild diarrhoea in an otherwise healthy child
Children with other health problems may need to avoid certain vaccines or get them later than usual. For example, children with certain types of cancers or problems with their immune systems should not get live virus vaccines like the MMR, varicella (chicken pox), or oral polio vaccines. For children who have fits, the pertussis (whooping cough) part of the DPT vaccine may need to be delayed. The paediatrician should be consulted in case of doubt.
What are the side effects?
Common adverse effects of various vaccines are:
• Pain at the site of injection
• Low grade fever
• Mild rash
• Painful swelling of the local lymph glands
Besides these effects that may occur with several vaccines, there are some specific adverse effects of vaccines. It is recommended that these be discussed at length with their paediatrician before vaccination.
Can a child be given more than one immunization at a time?
Vaccines used for routine childhood immunizations can be safely given together. Side effects when multiple vaccines are given together are no greater than when each vaccine is given on separate occasions.
Note: The contents of this web site are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be used for medical advice.
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