Vaccination for Children

 

A new born in the family means monthly visits to the doctor, especially for vaccination. These days, there are vaccines for almost all major diseases. Gone are the days when you heard some child dying of typhoid or meningitis. Vaccines are available today for some of the most dreaded diseases of olden days.

Vaccines are to be given at regular intervals as prescribed by the doctor. Usually the doctor gives a vaccination chart to help parents keep track of the vaccination schedule. A sample chart is as follows:

Age                  Vaccine

Birth                 BCG,OPV,Hepatitis-B
6 weeks           DPT,OPV,Hepatitis-B,HiB
10 weeks        DPT,OPV,Hepatitis-B,HiB
14 weeks        DPT,OPV,Hepatitis-B,HiB
9 months       Measles
1 year              Chickenpox
15 months     MMR
18 months     DTP,OPV,HiB Booster
2 years            Typhoid
5 years            DTP,OPV
10 years         Td/TT
15 years         Td/TT

BCG, OPV and Hepatitis B vaccines are given shortly after birth.

The BCG vaccine prevents tuberculosis. It is usually given on the left shoulder. These days, there is no fever or pain after vaccination. One and half months after the vaccine is administered, a boil appears at the vaccinated area and persists for about a month, leaving a scar behind.

OPV-Oral Polio Vaccine- It is the best way to eradicate polio.Atleast three doses must be given. The first is given soon after birth. The remaining doses can be given as per the vaccination chart. More doses can also be given at periodic intervals every year before the child turns five.

Hepatitis B, till recently a killer disease can no longer affect your child. Sometimes, the pregnant mother is also administered the Hepatitis-B vaccine.

DPT vaccine protects against diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus. Usually five doses are given from the time the baby is six weeks till the age of five.

HiB vaccine protects against Hemophilus influenza which can cause meningitis, pneumonia  and epiglottitis.Totally four doses are given-three during the first few months of the baby and the last one when the baby is one and half years old.

Two doses of Measles vaccine are recommended for children. One of them as a combination vaccine MMR (Measles-Mumps-Rubella). TT (Tetanus Toxoid) vaccine to be given when the child is 10 years and next dose can be given when child is 15 years.

In addition, Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine, Hepatitis A vaccine and Rotavirus vaccine can be given after consultation with the doctor. For girl children, cervical cancer vaccine can be given on the advice of the doctor.