At birth, infants have a immune system inherited from the mother’s placenta to the fetus. After birth, the immune system will become stronger if the baby is breast fed but the protection is temporary and may last only from one month to twelve months. Even during this short period the infant will not protected against some of the preventable diseases. Some parents are skeptical about administering vaccines due to baseless conclusions they have heard on after effects of vaccines. There are some reactions but they are generally mild and may cause soreness where the vaccine was administered or fever. It is only in rare cases that there could be allergic reactions for which immediate medical attention is required, but that again is negligible in comparison to the benefits vaccines offer.
Recommended vaccines may change from time to time depending on new vaccines developed. Country and region may also be another deciding factor for administration of vaccines.
Immunization Schedule:
Hepapatitis B:
Is usually given in 3 doses. The first dose is administered at birth prior to discharge from the hospital. It is possible to delay until 4 to 8 weeks depending on the situation. However, if the mother is a carrier of Heptatis B, then the first dose together with HBIc will be administered within 12 hours of birth to provide protection against the virus. The second dose should be administered between 1 to 4 months and the third within 6 to 18 months. It may be possible to deviate from this schedule if combination vaccines are being used.
Rotavirus Vaccines (Rota):
The first dose should be administered between 6 to 12 weeks and not later than 12 weeks. Final dose not later than 32 weeks.
Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Accellular Pertussis Vaccine (DTap):
This vaccine is in 5 doses at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months and between 15 to 18 months. Between the third and the fourth doses there should be time span of 6 months and can therefore be administered as early as 12 months. The final dose should be administered between 4 to 6 years.
Haemophilus Influenzae Type B Conjugate Vaccine (HIB)
This vaccine should be administered at the minimum age of 6 weeks. However, it will not be necessary to administer a dose at 6 months if PRM-OMP is administered at 2 and 4 months, TriHiBit (DTap/HIB) combination should not be administered at primary immunization but can be used as boosters after the Hib vaccine for children who are older than 12 months.
Pneumococcal Vaccine (PCV):
PCV immunization is administered in 4 stages starting at 2, 4, 6 and 12 to 15 months. If a child misses a dose for some reason, the doctor can still reschedule the doses.
Inactivated Poliovirus (IPV):
IPV is given to protect against Polio and is usually administered at 2 months, 4 months, 6 to 18 months and 4 to 6 years.
Influenza:
Is a highly contagious viral infection commonly known as the `flu’ and it is recommended to receive the vaccine annually especially for certain designated categories. Your doctor will be able to advise in this regard.
MMR (measles, mumps, rubella):
This vaccine is administered in two doses with the first being administered during 12 to 15 months and the second prior to entry to school at 4 to 6 years.
Varicella (chickenpox)
The first dose of Varicella should be administered between 12 to 15 months and the booster during 4 to 6 years. Older children who have not had chickenpox should also receive the vaccine.
Meningococcal MCV4:
This vaccine is administered to protect against meningitis and should be administered at 11 or 12 years of at 15 years if not previously vaccinated.
Hepatitis A:
This virus causes fever, vomiting, nausea and jaundice which can break into a epidemic. This vaccine is recommended for 12 to 23 month old children and a second dose 6 months later. This can be administered even for older kids and adults who are at a risk of this disease.
