Current immunization schedule of routine EPI in Pakistan

At present all children would have to pay 5 visits to a vaccination center during their 1st year of life and
one visit during their 2nd year of life to complete the schedule. The 1st visit would be immediately after
birth to get a dose of BCG and one dose of OPV. Subsequently s/he would have to be brought to the
center at 6, 10 and 14 weeks age to get one dose of OPV and one dose of Pentavalent vaccine during
each of these visit. After introduction, three doses of Pneumococcal vaccine will also be given during
these same visits. Upon completion of 09 months age the child would have to be brought for 1st dose of
measles vaccine and again at 15 months or anytime during the 2nd year of life the child would receive
the 2nd dose of measles vaccine. Beside these, every child should receive all doses of any other antigens
offered during a supplementary immunization activity (SIA) irrespective of his/her routine vaccination
status. Vaccines offered during SIAs are considered as additional doses and are not counted as routine
dose.
Table 1, Routine immunization schedule for children in EPI Pakistan

Age

Antigen

Dose

At Birth

BCG
OPV0
Hepatitis-B

0.05ml
2 drops
0.5 ml

6 weeks

*PentavalentI

0.5 ml

10 weeks

OPV-I
PentavalentII

2 drops
0.5 ml

14 weeks

OPV-II
PentavalentIII

2 drops
0.5 ml

6 weeks

OPV-III
Pneumococcal

2 drops
0.5 ml

10 weeks

Pneumococcal

0.5 ml

14 weeks

Pneumococcal

0.5 ml

9 months

Measles-I

0.5 ml

15 months

**Measles-II

0.5 ml

Site of Administration
Intradermaly on right upper arm
Oral
Intramuscular injection on anterolateral side of left thigh
Intramuscular injection on anterolateral side of right thigh
Oral
Intramuscular injection on anterolateral side of right thigh
Oral
Intramuscular injection on anterolateral side of right thigh
Oral
Intramuscular injection on anterolateral side of left thigh
Intramuscular injection on anterolateral side of left thigh
Intramuscular injection on anterolateral side of left thigh
Subcutaneous injection on left upper
arm

*Pentavalent includes DPT+HepB+Hib

nd
** If the child is seen b/w 12-15 months of age 2 dose of measles can be given.

Women would receive their 1st two doses of Tetanus Toxoid (TT) vaccine during their 1st pregnancy
preferably during the 2nd trimester one month apart. Afterwards they should receive another three
doses according to schedule irrespective of pregnancy to complete the 5 dose schedule which will
protect them throughout their child bearing age (15 49 years of age).
Table 2, Routine immunization schedule for pregnant women for prevention of neonatal tetanus

Vaccine

When to give

TT 1
TT 2
TT 3

first contact during first pregnancy

at least 4 weeks after TT 1
at least 6 months after TT 2
at least 1 year after TT 3 or
subsequent pregnancy
at least 1 year after TT 4 or
subsequent pregnancy

TT 4
TT 5

Dose & site

0.5 ml
intramuscular
injection on
upper arm

Expected duration of
protection
None
1-3 years
5 years
10 years
all child bearing years