List of Vaccines for 18 Months Old Baby

Vaccinations prevent numerous preventable diseases and are non-negotiable for your little one’s best interests. Your child needs the right immunisation at the right time to keep him protected. Therefore, following the right immunisation schedule is necessary. In the following article, we will discuss important 18 months old baby vaccines that will safeguard them from a host of life-threatening diseases.

Important Vaccinations Required for 18 Months Old Babies

Here are the most important vaccines for 18-month-old babies:

1. Hepatitis A (Hep – A2)

The Hep A2 paediatric vaccine is employed to prevent Hepatitis A in children.

a) Prevents Your Child From

The vaccine prevents Hepatitis A, which is a dangerous viral disease that spreads through contaminated food and water. It can cause liver inflammation, jaundice, and vomiting. Further, it can cause cancer or cirrhosis of the liver, which can be fatal.

b) Dosage

The Hepatitis A vaccine is intramuscular; it is delivered via an injection deep into the muscle tissue. There are two types of Hepatitis A vaccinations. One is a ‘live’ one, of which only one dose is required after the child turns a year old. The other one is the ‘killed/inactivated’ vaccine, of which two doses are required, one at 12 months and another after 6 months (at 18 months of age) of the first dose.

c) Precautions to Take

Here is a list of precautions you should consider before your child gets the Hepatitis A vaccine:

• If your child experiences an extreme allergic reaction after receiving the first dose of the vaccine, they should not be given another.
• Children allergic to phenoxyethanol or aluminium hydroxide should not take this vaccine, as these chemicals are used in its preparation.
• If your child is ill, wait until he recovers before giving the vaccine.

d) Are There Any Side Effects?

The side-effects of the Hepatitis A vaccine in 18 months old babies include:

• Drowsiness and fainting
• Fussy behaviour
• Constant crying
• High-temperature fever
• Nausea and headaches
• Swelling and rash

e) Cost of the Vaccination

The Hepatitis A vaccine costs around Rs. 1400.

f) What If You Miss the Vaccination?

Please remember to give your child all their doses of the vaccine. If you happen to miss a dose, please contact your child’s paediatrician for advice as soon as possible.

g) How to Take Care After the Vaccination?

Consult your doctor to see if you can give either paracetamol or ibuprofen for any fever and pain symptoms.

2. DPaT or DPwT Booster

a) Prevents Your Child From

DPaT or DPwT vaccination protects your child from diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough).

b) Dosage

Children need five shots of DaPT/DwPT, two of which are booster shots. The first booster shot is given anytime between the age of 15 and 18 months. If your child is 18 months old, you may want to take a look at his vaccination schedule to confirm the first booster shot has been given. If the vaccination was missed, it is not too late to get it at 18 months.

• Previous – Your child should get three DaPT/DwPT shots by the age of 15 months (at 2 months, 4 months and 6 months, respectively)
• Next – The next booster should be given anytime between 4 and 6 years of age.

c) Precautions to Take

• If your child has had an allergic reaction to one of the previous doses of DaPT/DwPT, it’s wise first to consult a paediatrician and skip the vaccination.
• If the child is allergic to one or more ingredients in the vaccine, the doctor should be able to confirm the ingredients and provide a resolution.
• Before the vaccination, communicate any side effects or health conditions your child had experienced after one of the previous vaccinations. Side effects, such as seizures, swelling, severe pain, or conditions like Guillain-Barré Syndrome, must be reported to avoid health complications.
• It is best to delay the vaccination a bit if your child is suffering from a severe illness. You must, however, consult a paediatrician before taking the call and seek better medical guidance.

d) Are There Any Side Effects?

Some side effects of the DwPT vaccine include the following:

• Swelling, redness, or soreness at the site of the vaccine.
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Irritability
• Fatigue

The above-mentioned side effects are more common with DwPT and less commonly seen with DaPT. That is why a vaccine that consists of DaPT is called painless because side effects are less.

e) Cost of the Vaccination

The cost of the DaPT/DwPT vaccination keeps changing as they are usually given in combination vaccinations. It’s always better to check with the clinic in advance and go prepared.

f) What If You Miss the Vaccination?

If the DaPT/DwPT Booster was missed at 18 months of age, it could be given anytime between 4 to 6 years of the child’s age, bearing in mind that the third dose, if it was delayed too, is given at least 6 months prior to the first booster.

g) How to Take Care After the Vaccination?

For the soreness, you may use a damp, warm compress for some relief. If the pain and fever rise, check with the paediatrician if you can give ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

3. Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (HiB) Booster

a) Prevents Your Child From

HiB vaccine protects babies from infections that could lead to permanent disabilities and death.

b) Dosage

Kids need 3 to 4 shots of the HiB vaccine at 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, and 18 months, respectively. The booster is given at 18 months.

• Previous – The previous shot is given at 14 weeks.
• Next – There are no shorts required after the last or booster shot is given.

c) Precautions to Take

Take these precautions to prevent any possible health risks for your child –

• Avoid the dose if your child has had an allergic reaction to the previous dose.
• Check the vaccine components to ensure it doesn’t have any ingredients your child is allergic to.

d) Are There Any Side Effects?

Side effects of the HiB booster vaccine include:

• Redness and swelling at the site of vaccination
• Fever
• Irritability
• Fatigue or sleepiness

e) Cost of the Vaccination

The HiB booster is usually given in combination with DwPT/DaPT. It is, therefore, recommended you call the clinic and make prior inquiries to get prepared.

f) What If You Miss the Vaccination?

If you happen to miss the vaccination, you may speak to your paediatrician and get the booster anytime till the child is 59 months old. Children over 5 years of age do not need the vaccination, even if it was missed.

g) How to Take Care After the Vaccination?

Like the vaccines mentioned above, you may speak to your paediatrician and get either acetaminophen or ibuprofen prescribed for high fever and pain. In the case of an allergic reaction, you must visit the doctor immediately. For soreness and redness at the site of the vaccination, you may try a warm compress to provide some relief.

Please remember to inform your doctor of your child’s medical history, including any drugs or treatments he is on. This will help the doctor decide to delay the vaccines if necessary. However, vaccines are essential for your child’s health, and under no circumstances must you avoid getting your child all the recommended ones.

References/Resources:

1. Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis Vaccines; CDC; https://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/vaccines/dtap-tdap-vaccine.html

2. Catch-up Immunization Schedule for Children and Adolescents Who Start Late or Who Are More than 1 Month Behind; CDC; https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/catchup.html

3. Guidelines for vaccinations of a normal child in India; Indian J Nephrol.; PubMed Central; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4928529/; April 2016

4. Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule by Age; CDC; https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html

5. Immunization; Vikaspedia; a Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) Government of India; https://vikaspedia.in/health/child-health/immunization

6. Vaccinations for Infants and Children, Age 0–10 Years; Immunize.org; https://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4019.pdf

7. Drutz. J E; Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis immunization in children 6 weeks through 6 years; UpToDate; https://www.uptodate.com/contents/diphtheria-tetanus-and-pertussis-immunization-in-children-6-weeks-through-6-years-of-age/print; April 2023

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18 Month Old Check-up
Painless Vaccination for Babies
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