Immunizations have played a significant role in eradicating some of the world’s most deadly diseases. For example, India successfully implemented polio vaccines, leading to the country being declared polio-free in 2014. It’s important to understand that vaccines are most effective when administered to children at the right age. Therefore, you cannot underestimate the importance of your child’s vaccination schedule.
However, for new parents, a first look at the vaccination schedule may seem a bit overwhelming. Do not worry, your pediatrician will guide you through the process and help you understand the details of your child’s vaccinations.
A small tip for new parents- It is always important to understand the vaccination being administered to your child- the purpose of the vaccination, how it works, and also what disease it prevents.
Starting with the basics, vaccinations are biological preparations that provide acquired immunity to infectious diseases.
As mentioned above, vaccinations are biological preparations. These biological preparations contain a small portion of the disease-causing agent or an inactive part of it. When doctors introduce vaccines into the body, they stimulate an immune response from the body without making your child sick.
If the child is exposed to the disease at a later stage, the body is capable of fighting this disease through its “immune memory,” which allows the body to “remember” the disease-causing agent.
Therefore, pediatric vaccines are crucial to ensure your child’s health and well-being.
There are many factors influencing the efficacy of vaccinations such as age, history of prior exposure to the disease, and underlying medical conditions. Healthcare providers usually administer pediatric vaccinations from birth until the age of 15, ensuring maximum efficacy and immunization against diseases.
The Government of India has taken effective steps to ensure all children are immunized. The Government of India through its National Immunization Schedule, details the list of vaccines that must be administered to children from birth to the age of 15.
So, let’s take a quick look at your child’s vaccination schedule according to the National Immunization Schedule.
| Age | Vaccination |
|---|---|
| Birth | Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG), Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV)-0 dose, Hepatitis B birth dose |
| 6 weeks | OPV-1, Pentavalent-1, Rotavirus Vaccine (RVV)-1, Fractional dose of Inactivated Polio Vaccine (fIPV)-1, Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV)-1 |
| 10 weeks | OPV-2, Pentavalent-2, RVV-2 |
| 14 weeks | OPV-3, Pentavalent-3, fIPV-2, RVV-3, PCV-2 |
| 6 months | Influenza vaccine 1 |
| 7 months | Influenza vaccine 2 |
| 6 to 9 months | Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine |
| 9 to 12 months | Measles & Rubella (MR)-1 |
| 12 to 15 months | PCV-Booster |
| 16 to 24 months | MR-2, Diphtheria, Pertussis & Tetanus (DPT)-Booster-1, OPV – Booster |
| 5 to 6 years | DPT-Booster-2 |
| 10 years | Tetanus & adult Diphtheria (Td) |
| 9 to 15 years (girls) | HPV vaccination (2 doses) |
| 15 years | Td |
| Pregnant mothers | Td-1, Td-2 or Td-Booster |
| 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th years | Annual Influenza vaccine. |
It is important to understand that the vaccination schedule is not exhaustive and may be subject to changes according to what your trusted pediatrician deems fit. Further, some vaccinations your child’s pediatrician may prescribe are state-specific and may differ from the requirements of vaccinations in Bangalore or any other state/ city.
Kinder Women’s Hospital is the top women’s and children’s hospitals in Bangalore. We have on board, the top paediatricians in Bangalore offering their expertise in child care.
Our experienced pediatricians offer advice and guidance on the required vaccinations in Bangalore for your child.
