Child Immunization & Vaccination Schedule

Children are highly susceptible to catching infections and diseases, especially in their early years. This is because their immune system – which is the body’s defence system against infection-causing microorganisms (pathogens) – is not fully developed yet.

The role of the immune system is to protect the body by battling against pathogens. However, some pathogens can overwhelm the immune system, and when this happens, the child falls sick. It is usually the pathogens that cannot be recognized by the body that lead to problems.

When children get their vaccine shots, it helps the immune system to recognize which organism is harmful and how to eliminate it. This way the body is prepared to fight pathogens when they attack, and your child is immunized from illnesses.

Top 8 Reasons to Protect Children Through Vaccination

1. As parents, we want to do everything possible to keep our children healthy and safe from preventable diseases. Vaccination is the best way to guarantee this.
2. Vaccination is totally safe and effective. All vaccines undergo long and detailed review by scientists, doctors, and the government to make sure they are safe.
3. Paediatric organizations such as the Indian Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly support protecting children with recommended vaccinations.
4. Vaccination protects children from serious illness and complications. In the absence of vaccination, these diseases can lead to conditions such as paralysis of limbs, hearing loss, convulsions, amputation of an arm or leg, brain damage, or even death.
5. Diseases like measles, mumps, and whooping cough are vaccine-preventable but still a threat globally. Many children get infected by them every year.
6. Though vaccination has led to a sharp decline in the incidence of many infectious diseases, some of them are still quite common in other countries. They may be brought to your country by international travelers. If children are not vaccinated, they could get infected by one of these diseases from travelers or while traveling themselves.
7. If many parents decide not to vaccinate their children, it might trigger an outbreak of preventable diseases. Such an epidemic can turn out to be disastrous for child healthcare.
8. If children aren’t vaccinated, they can spread diseases to other young children, babies who are too small to be vaccinated, or to people with weak immunity, such as cancer patients.

Infographics: Child Vaccination & Immunisation Schedule (Recommended by IAP)

Vaccination Chart for Indian Babies with Cost

People’s Negligence Toward Vaccination

Vaccines are a safe way to prevent people from deadly diseases. However, in recent years, some opponents of vaccination have challenged their safety and effectiveness. There are even some research findings making the rounds that link vaccines to autism. However, there isn’t any valid proof for this proposition. On the contrary, there is proof that vaccines have saved people from dying.

People sometimes avoid vaccinating their children due to such ‘reports’. Some of us are even unaware of the fact that children need to be vaccinated against a specific disease, for instance, seasonal flu. In order to keep our children protected, it is necessary to talk to doctors about the vaccines your child needs as per age.

Things to Remember During Vaccination

1. Try to adhere to your child’s vaccination schedule and never miss a vaccine. If you do miss a vaccine, approach your paediatrician to discuss if it can be given at a later time.
2. In case your child has fever, inform your doctor before immunization. Your doctor may need to reschedule.
3. Sometimes, the doctor may give you the option of painful or painless vaccines. As parents, we want to avoid causing any pain to our child. However, please discuss the difference between painful and painless vaccines to make an informed decision. As per studies, the painless vaccine may have a faster period of waning (i.e. the immunity decreases faster) than the painful vaccine.
4. For some vaccines, it’s normal to get fever for a few days after it is administered. You can use a sponge bath to reduce your baby’s temperature. Visit your doctor in case fever persists beyond 1-2 days.
5. Take along a family member or your spouse, if possible, to assist you during your child’s vaccination. This will help distract and comfort the child during and after the shot is given. Carry your child’s favourite toy, blanket, etc. to comfort them.

Pulse Polio Programme 2018

Children in the age range 0 – 5 years must also be given the dose(s) of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) as a part of the Pulse Polio Programme by government of India. The Pulse Polio schedule for 2018 has been released and the dates for pulse polio immunization are January 28th & March 11th.