Child Immunization
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Immunization is one of the most important and cost effective strategies for the prevention of childhood sicknesses and disabilities and is thus a basic need for all children. The following schedule has been recommended by the Ministry of Health, Govt. of India and is one of the most widely followed by the child health care providers.
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BENEFICIARY
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AGE
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VACCINE
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Infants
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Birth
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BCG* and OPV**
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6 weeks
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DPT&OPV
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10 weeks
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14 weeks
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9 months
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Measles vaccine
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18 months
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DPT&OPV(Booster dose)
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Children
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5 years
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DT vaccine
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10 years
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Tetanus toxoid
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16 years
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At birth or at the time of DPT/OPV ;
dose called as Zero dose and can be given till 14 days of age ,if missed early.
Abbreviations:
BCG=Bacillus calmittee Guerin
DPT=Diphtheria,Pertussis & Tetanus
OPV =Oral Polio Vaccine
DT=Diph & Tetanus vaccine
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Indian Academy of Pediatrics is the largest professional organization of pediatricians in our country fully endorses and supports the national schedule. It supplements the above schedule further, with 2 additional vaccines namely Hepatitis B vaccine to be given in three doses (at birth, one month and six months of age.). The IAP also recommends MMR (Measles, Mumps & Rubella vaccine) at about 15 to 18 months of age. It must be remembered that even though rubella may appear to be a mild illness, it has a serious potential to cause congenital defects in a baby, whose mother is not protected against rubella and catches the infection during early pregnancy.
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AGE
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VACCINE
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Note
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Birth
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BCG
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----
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OPV zero
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Hepatitis B -1
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6 weeks
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OPV-1 + IPV-1 / OPV -1
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OPV alone if IPV cannot be given
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DTPw-1 / DTPa -1
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Hepatitis B -2
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Hib -1
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10 weeks
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OPV-2 + IPV-2 / OPV-2
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OPV alone if IPV cannot be given
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DTPw-2 / DTPa -2
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Hib -2
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14 weeks
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OPV-3 + IPV-3 / OPV -3
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OPV alone if IPV cannot be given
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DTPw-3 / DTPa -3
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Hepatitis B -3
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Third dose of Hepatitis B can be given at 6 months of age
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Hib -3
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9 months
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Measles
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----
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15-18 months
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OPV-4 + IPV-B1 / OPV -4
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OPV alone if IPV cannot be given
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DTPw booster -1 or DTPa booster -1
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Hib booster
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MMR-1
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2 years
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Typhoid
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Revaccination every 3-4 years
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5 years
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OPV -5
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DTPw booster -2 or DTPa booster -2
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MMR -2
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The second dose of MMR vaccine can be given at any time 8 weeks after the first dose
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10 years
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Tdap
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Only girls, three doses at 0, 1-2 and 6 months
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HPV
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Vaccines that can be given after discussion with parents
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More than 6 weeks
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Pneumococcal conjugate
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3 primary doses at 6, 10, and 14 weeks, followed by a booster at 15-18 months
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Rotaviral vaccines
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(2/3 doses (depending on brand) at 4-8 weeks interval)
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After 15 months
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Varicella
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Age less than 13 years: one dose Age more than 13 years: 2 doses at 4-8 weeks interval
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After 18 months
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Hepatitis A
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2 doses at 6-12 months interval
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Abbreviations:
BCG: Bacillus calmittee Guerin
OPV: Oral poliovirus vaccine
DTwP: Diphtheria, tetanus, whole cell pertussis
DT: Diphtheria and tetanus toxoid
TT: Tetanus toxoid
Hep B: Hepatitis B vaccine
MMR: Measles mumps, rubella vaccine
Hib: Hemophilus influenzae type ‘b’ vaccine
IPV: Inactivated poliovirus vaccine
Td: Tetanus, reduced dose diphtheria toxoid
Tdap: Tetanus, reduced dose diphtheria & acellular pertussis
HPV: Human papilloma virus vaccine
PCV: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
DTaP: Diphtheria, Tetanus, acellular pertussis vaccine
PPV 23: 23 valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine
The decision to use the newer vaccines such as Hepatitis A vaccine (Water borne jaundice), Hem.B vaccine and Varicella (chicken pox) vaccine can vary amongst child practitioners and both the parents and the doctor can discuss their usage for their child, as presently, these vaccines are not included in the routine immunization program of our country. Their rational use should be based upon the cost, child's age, parent's concerns, exposure risks to the child and the doctor - parent decision.
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WHO recommends National Immunization Schedule
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Vaccine
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Age
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Birth
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6 weeks
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10 weeks
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14 weeks
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9-12 months
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Primary vaccination
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BCG
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X
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----
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Oral polio
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X
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X
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X
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X
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DPT
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X
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X
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X
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Hepatitis B*
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X
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X
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X
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Measles
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X
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Booster Doses
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DPT + Oral polio
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16 to 24 months
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DT
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5 years
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Tetanus toxoid (TT)
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At 10 years and again at 16 years
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Vitamin A
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9, 18, 24, 30 and 36 months
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Pregnant women
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Tetanus toxoid (PW): 1st dose
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As early as possible during pregnancy (first contact)
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2nd dose
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1 month after 1st dose
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Booster
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If previously vaccinated, within 3 years
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FAQ's on Child Immunization
