IMMUNIZATION BY GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

Siddhendu Bhattacharjee1 Sampriti jana2

1 2

m.pharm (Ayurveda) D.pharma (ayurveda)

Lovely professional university

Immunization

Immunization is a form of preventive medicine. It prepares the body to fight against infection. Its aim is to protect individuals and communities from infectious diseases. Immunization operates on the premise that once you have had a disease, you are unlikely to contract it again. Through injections, oral drops or scratches on the skin, the body is exposed to weakened or dead disease-producing microorganisms or to the toxins they produce. This will cause the individual to develop the same antibodies and antitoxins that would have been developed if the person had actually contracted the disease, in order to fight the disease. Once the body has been exposed to an infection, the immune system will "recognize" if the disease were to recur, and produce antibodies or antitoxins to destroy the infection. The body has to be exposed to infection once for the immune system to recognize it. This is done through immunization. Risks of immunization Very rarely, one hears of cases where immunization has resulted in the development of fatal complications. Most children have a mild reaction to immunization, but a few have become seriously ill. With some vaccines there is a negligible risk of serious or permanent damage or even death. As you are aware, your child can be at risk while crossing the street or even sleeping in her bed. Just as you take precautions in these routine life situations, you should take precautions before vaccinating your child. Make sure she is in good health before taking her for a shot and report any side effects to the doctor immediately. Remember that the

advantages of immunization far outweigh its drawbacks. It is thanks to immunization that a disease like small pox has been eradicated.

Immunization schedule for children Immunization forms one of the most important and cost effective strategies for the prevention of childhood sicknesses and disabilities and is thus a basic need for all children. The following schedule has been recommended by the Ministry of Health, Govt. of India and is one of the most widely followed by the child health care providers. Immunization Schedule as per Government of India ..(Source :Routine Immunization Hand Book for Medical Officers published by N.R.H.M, India.

Vaccination Chart For Children In India

Vaccination Schedule for children in India. Please note that the prices are indicative in nature and do not include doctor's fee or administration charges. Consult your doctor for more details.
S. No Age Mandatory and Optional Vaccines Details

1. BCG (Bacillus Calmette Guerin) (Mandatory) - Prevents: Tuberculosis. - Important Info: It causes slight swelling at the injected site. Do not apply any medicine on the swollen area. 2. OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine) (Mandatory) - Prevents: Poliomyelitis (Polio), which damages nervous system, causes muscle weakness or paralysis. - Important Info: Given for FREE in Govt. Hospitals upto the age of 5 yrs on Pulse Immunization Day. 3. Hepatitis B (Optional) - Prevents: Liver infection caused by Hepatitis B virus. - Important Info: Essential within 12 hours of birth to prevent transmission from mother. 4. HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) (Optional) - Prevents: Cervical Cancer & other genital cancers. - Important Info: Only for girls. 2 1. DPT (Mandatory) - Prevents: Diphtheria (upper respiratory illness), Pertussis (Whooping Cough) & Tetanus. - Important Info: There may be mild fever, pain & swelling at the injected site.

BIRTH

6 WEEKS

2. OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine) (Mandatory) - Prevents: Poliomyelitis (Polio), which damages nervous system, causes muscle weakness or paralysis. - Important Info: Given for FREE in Govt Hospitals upto the age of 5 yrs on Pulse Immunization Day.

S. No

Age

Mandatory and Optional Vaccines Details

3. HiB (Haemophilus Influenzae Type B) (Optional) - Prevents: Menangitis, which affect membranes surrounding the brain & the spinal cord. - Important Info: There might be slight redness, swelling or pain at the injected site. 4. Pneumococcal (Optional) - Prevents: Pneumococcal disease, caused by Streptococcous Pneumonia bacteria. - Important Info: Prevenar was the first vaccine against Pneumococcal disease in India. 5. Hepatitis B (Optional) - Prevents: Liver infection caused by Hepatitis B virus. - Important Info: Essential within 12 hours of birth to prevent transmission from mother. 3 1. DPT (Mandatory) - Prevents: Diphtheria (upper respiratory illness), Pertussis (Whooping Cough) & Tetanus. - Important Info: There may be mild fever, pain & swelling at the injected site.

10 WEEKS

2. OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine) (Mandatory) - Prevents: Poliomyelitis (Polio), which damages nervous system, causes muscle weakness or paralysis. - Important Info: Given FREE in Government Hospitals upto age of 5 years on every Pulse Immunization Day. 3. Hepatitis B (Optional) - Prevents: Liver infection caused by Hepatitis B virus. - Important Info: Essential within 12 hours of birth to prevent transmission from mother. 4. Pneumococcal (Optional) - Prevents: Pneumococcal disease, caused by Streptococcous Pneumonia bacteria. - Important Info: Prevenar was the first vaccine against

S. No

Age

Mandatory and Optional Vaccines Details

Pneumococcal disease in India. 5. HiB (Haemophilus Influenzae Type B) (Optional) - Prevents: Menangitis, which affect membranes surrounding the brain & the spinal cord. - Important Info: There might be slight redness, swelling or pain at the injected spot. 6. IPV (Inactivated Polio Vaccine) (Optional) - Prevents: Poliomyelitis (Polio), which damages nervous system, causes muscle weakness or paralysis. - Important Info: Given in the form of injection. 4 1. OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine) (Mandatory) - Prevents: Poliomyelitis (Polio), which damages nervous system, causes muscle weakness or paralysis. - Important Info: Given for FREE in Govt Hospitals upto the age of 5 yrs on Pulse Immunization Day. 2. DPT (Mandatory) - Prevents: Diphtheria (upper respiratory illness), Pertussis (Whooping Cough) & Tetanus. - Important Info: There may be mild fever, pain & swelling at the injected site. 3. Hepatitis B (Optional) - Prevents: Liver infection caused by Hepatitis B virus. - Important Info: Essential within 12 hours of birth to prevent transmission from mother. 4. Pneumococcal (Optional) - Prevents: Pneumococcal disease, caused by Streptococcous Pneumonia bacteria. - Important Info: Prevenar was the first vaccine against Pneumococcal disease in India. 5. Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae Type B) (Optional)

14 WEEKS

S. No

Age

Mandatory and Optional Vaccines Details

- Prevents: Menangitis, which affect membranes surrounding the brain & the spinal cord. - Important Info: There might be slight redness, swelling or pain at the injected site. 6. IPV (Inactivated Polio Vaccine) (Optional) - Prevents: Poliomyelitis (Polio), which damages nervous system, causes muscle weakness or paralysis. - Important Info: Given in the form of injection. 1. Rotavirus (Optional) - Prevents: Rotavirus infection, which causes severe Diarrhoea among infants. - Important Info: First dose is given before the age of 6 months & second dose at a gap of 1 month. 2. Influenza (Optional) - Prevents: Influenza virus which causes infection of the respiratory system. - Important Info: The most common vaccine is Trivalent Influenza Vaccine (TIV). 3. HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) (Optional) - Prevents: Cervical Cancer & other genital cancers. - Important Info: Only for girls. 1. Measles (Mandatory) - Prevents: Measles, which causes infection of the respiratory system. - Important Info: Highly contagious disease. Hence its very important to get the vaccination done on time. 1. Varicella (Optional) - Prevents: Chickenpox. - Important Info: Varicella is the primary vaccine for Chickenpox.

6 MONTHS

9 MONTHS
7

S. No

Age

Mandatory and Optional Vaccines Details

12 MONTHS
1. MMR (Mandatory) - Prevents: Measles, Mumps, Rubella. - Important Info: There might be slight fever, joint pain or stiffness after the vaccination. 2. Pneumococcal Booster (Optional) - Prevents: Pneumococcal disease, caused by Streptococcous Pneumonia bacteria. - Important Info: Prevenar was the first vaccine against Pneumococcal disease in India.

15 MONTHS

3. IPV (Inactivated Polio Vaccine) (Optional) - Prevents: Poliomyelitis (Polio), which damages nervous system, causes muscle weakness or paralysis. - Important Info: Given in the form of injection. 1. OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine) Booster (Mandatory) - Prevents: Poliomyelitis (Polio), which damages nervous system, causes muscle weakness or paralysis. - Important Info: Given for FREE in Govt Hospitals upto the age of 5 yrs on Pulse Immunization Day. 2. DPT Booster (Mandatory) - Prevents: Diphtheria (upper respiratory illness), Pertussis (Whooping Cough) & Tetanus. - Important Info: There may be mild fever, pain & swelling at the injection site. 3. HiB (Haemophilus Influenzae Type B) Booster (Optional) - Prevents: Menangitis, which affect membranes surrounding the brain & the spinal cord. - Important Info: There might be slight redness, swelling or pain at the injected site. 4. Hepatitis A (Optional) - Prevents: Liver infection

18 MONTHS

S. No

Age

Mandatory and Optional Vaccines Details

caused by HAV (Hepatitis A virus). - Important Info: Since Hepatitis A is common in young children India, it is advisable to get the vaccination done. 1. Typhoid (Mandatory) - Prevents: Typhoid, a fever caused by Typhoid bacillus. - Important Info: There are 2 types of Typhoid vaccinesInactivated Vaccine (Shot) & Weakened Vaccine. 10 2. Hepatitis A (Optional) - Prevents: Liver infection caused by HAV (Hepatitis A virus). - Important Info: Since Hepatitis A is common in young children India, it is advisable to get the vaccination done.

2 YEARS

11

1. MMR (Mandatory) - Prevents: Measles, Mumps, Rubella. - Important Info: There might be slight fever, joint pain or stiffness after the vaccination.

4 YEARS
1. OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine) Booster (Mandatory) - Prevents: Poliomyelitis (Polio), which damages nervous system, causes muscle weakness or paralysis. - Important Info: Given for FREE in Govt Hospitals upto the age of 5 yrs on Pulse Immunization Day. 2. DPT Booster (Mandatory) - Prevents: Diphtheria (upper respiratory illness), Pertussis (Whooping Cough) & Tetanus. - Important Info: There may be mild fever, pain & swelling at the injected site.

12

5 YEARS

Vaccination Chart for Infants and Children The Government of India recommends the following schedule for vaccinations:

Age
Birth 6 weeks 10 weeks 14 weeks 9 - 12 months 15 - 18 months 4 - 5 years 10 - 16 years BCG

Vaccine

Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) and Diphtheria, Pertussis and Tetanus (DPT) OPV, DPT OPV, DPT Measles OPV, DPT DT, Typhoid Tetanus, Typhoid

The schedule recommended by the Government of India has fully incorporated the recommendations of the EPI schedule given by the World Health Organization. The following table shows the possible adverse reactions for each vaccine: Vaccine
BCG OPV DPT Measles MMR DT TT* Hepatitis B

Type
live attenuated live attenuated killed live attenuated live attenuated killed killed recombinant

Adverse Reactions
axillary adenitis (swelling in the armpits) none fever, excessive crying, encephalopathy, seizures fever, rash fever, rash, arthralgia (pain in the joints) fever fever pain, erythema