Be Updated on the Latest Vaccination Schedules and Vaccinate for a Better Future!
In this Article
As parents, we want the best for our children, and the most important thing is their health. The most primitive step in protecting their health is to vaccinate them as it ensures a better future.
It was my second baby’s 14th-week vaccination, about 2 weeks back. The vaccination schedule from when my first child was a baby has changed a lot. The vaccination schedule changes every year, so it is important for parents to be updated on it.
Vaccines prevent serious illnesses and complications that arise from certain diseases. It is reviewed and rescheduled every year by healthcare providers and public health officers to include the latest safety and research guidelines. Head to government health portals or talk to your paediatrician for the latest vaccination schedules.
At Birth
As we all know, vaccination starts from birth – earlier, there were vaccinations only for polio (opv) and tuberculosis/TB (bcg), but hepatitis B (Hep B) has also been introduced now.
At 6, 10, and 14 Weeks
Booster doses of Hep B and polio are given for further prevention, along with dpt (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus). Newer vaccines – rotavirus, Hib (influenza), pneumococcal (pneumonia) – have also been added.
The polio vaccine is given either in the oral form or injectable form; follow whatever your paediatrician prefers or suggests.
These vaccines are available as either:
1. Pentavalent:
a 5 in 1 vaccine (dpt+hepB+Hib) wherein opv or ipv given separately,
or
2. Infarix Hexa:
a 6 in 1 vaccine (I.e., the above 5 plus ipv) which is newer and more expensive.
The advantage of hexa over penta is that the chances of post-vaccination fever are much lesser. I would suggest you go for hexa if you can afford it.
Pneumococcal is a separate injectable vaccine.
Rotavirus is an oral vaccine. A total of 2 doses are given 1 month apart, preferably at the 10th and 14th week.
Post-Vaccination
Your baby may be irritable. She may have a mild fever and diarrhoea at most, but other symptoms like vomiting and wheezing due to rotavirus are rare.
Avoid unnecessary fiddling at the site of the injection unless there is pain, swelling, and redness for which your paediatrician may advise paracetamol drops or ice packs wrapped in cloth gently over the site.
Let your paediatrician know immediately if your child is sick with fever, cough, etc. and start the treatment at the earliest before vaccinating. Do not vaccinate your child when she is sick.
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