Vaccination Schedule For Children

Baby Vaccination - Vaccines For Children

The Immunization programme in India was introduced in 1978 as the Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI). It was further expanded as the Universal Immunization Programme in 1985. The UIP provides free vaccines against 11 life threatening diseases - Tuberculosis, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis B, Pneumonia and Meningitis due to Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib), Measles, Rubella, Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and Rotavirus diarrhoea. (Rubella, JE and Rotavirus vaccine in select states and districts)

National Immunization Schedule

A vaccination schedule is given by the State to enable timely immunization. A significant delay in vaccination can put children at a risk of serious diseases that can easily be prevented. The following immunization schedule recommended by the Ministry of Health, Government of India, is most widely followed by child healthcare providers across the country:

* Give Td-2 or Booster doses before 36 weeks of pregnancy. However, give these even if more than 36 weeks have passed. Give Td to a women in labour if, she has not previously received Td

Pentavalent vaccine** (containing Diphtheria+Pertussis+Tetanus+Hepatitis B+Hib)

*** JE vaccine at select endemic districts

Rotavirus vaccine (RVV)

The Under-5 Mortality Rate (U-5MR) in India is 37 for every 1000 births. One of the major causes for this are diarrhoeal deaths, a disease primarily caused by the rotavirus.

Pentavalent vaccines

Pentavalent vaccines are a combination of DPT (diphtheria, Pertussis/whooping cough and tetanus), Hepatitis B and Hib vaccines. DPT and Hepatitis B vaccines which are already a part of the immunization programme are being replaced by the pentavalent vaccines in a phased manner. The pentavalent vaccines are administered intramuscularly in doses of 0.5 ml in the mid-thigh region.

The revised immunisation schedule, when pentavalent vaccines are introduced is as follows:

IAP (Indian Academy of Pediatrics) Recommendations

The Indian Academy of Pediatrics which is the largest organization of pediatricians in India endorses the National Immunisation Schedule. The committee has further supplemented the schedule with the Hepatitis B and the MMR (Measles, Mumps, & Rubella) vaccines. Even though Rubella might appear to be a mild illness, it can cause congenital defects in babies if the mother is not protected against Rubella and catches the infection during pregnancy. The schedule is as follows:

Abbreviations

BCG: Bacillus Calmette Guerin

OPV: Oral poliovirus vaccine

DTwP: Diphtheria, tetanus, whole cell Pertussis

DT: Diphtheria and tetanus toxoids

TT: Tetanus toxoid

Hep B: Hepatitis B vaccine

MMR: Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccine

Hib: Haemophilus influenzae Type ‘b’ Vaccine

IPV: Inactivated poliovirus vaccine

Td: Tetanus, reduced dose diphtheria toxoid

HPV: Human Papillomavirus Vaccine

PCV: Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine

TdaP: Tetanus and Diphtheria Toxoids and aCellular Pertussis Vaccine

WHO-India Recommendation

The Immunization schedule recommended by the WHO is as follows:

The cross below the age (in weeks) table indicates when the vaccine should be given.

Conclusion

Access to health insurance and access to vaccines in accordance with the National Immunization Schedule is imperative for every child in our society. Comparing the number of policies before going with any one of them is a prudent decision during such times as some plans may be better suited for your needs than others. The Health Insurance plans available on the Finserv MARKETS could be the right choice for you. Through such a plan, you can ensure that all the medical expenses that usually come with raising a child are taken care of.