Routine Immunization for Infants In India

Immunization schedule for children

Immunization forms 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.

NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULE

BENEFICIARY	AGE	VACCINE
Infants	Birth	BCG* and OPV**
	6 weeks	DPT&OPV
	10weeks	DPT&OPV
	14 weeks	DPT&OPV
	9 months	Measles vaccine
	18 months	DPT&OPV(Booster dose)
Children	5 years	DT vaccine
	10years	Tetanus toxoid
	16years	Tetanus toxoid

*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. 

 THE INDIAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS

The largest professional organisation 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.

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.  

Source-

http://www.indiaparenting.com/childs-healthcare/33_1215/immunization-schedule-for-children.html

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