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.

National immunization schedule

Infants

• Birth, BCG and OPV
• 6 weeks,DPT&OPV
• 10weeks, DPT&OPV
• 14 weeks, DPT&OPV
• 9 months, Measles vaccine
• 18 months, DPT&OPV(Booster dose)

Children

• 5 years DT vaccine
• 10years Tetanus toxoid
• 16years Tetanus toxoid

 

At birth or at the time of DPT/OPV.

Dose called as Zero dose and can be given till 14 days of age, if missed early.

Abbreviations:

• BCG=Bacillus calmittee Guerin
• DPT=Diphtheria, Pertussis & Tetanus
• OPV =Oral Polio Vaccine
• DT=Diphtheria and Tetanus vaccine.

Other vaccines:

• Hepatitis B vaccine: At birth 6, 14weeks, or birth, 1, 6 months, or 6, 10, 14 weeks.
  
• Hepatitis A: 2doses 6-12months apart with 720EU for less than 18 years of age same dosage with 1440EUfor more than 18years of age.
  
• HIB (Hemophilus influenza vaccine): Given at 6, 10, 14weeks, 15-18months.
• Varicella (Chicken Pox): First dose at 12-15 months of age and second dose at 4-6years of age it could be given sooner just that it needs to be separated 3months apart. More than 13 years of age and older, who do not have evidence of immunity should get two doses of the vaccine 4 to 8 weeks apart.
• Yellow fever vaccine: Should be given to 9 months and older individuals who are travelling to yellow fever endemic areas or are travelling away from a yellow fever endemic area. 6-9months of age who cannot avoid traveling to discuss with your doctor, under no circumstances should infants below 6months of age be vaccinated.
• Typhoid fever vaccine: Given at 2years + (revaccination at 3years later).

 

Pneumococcal vaccine: Children below 2years of age require 4doses of conjugate pneumococcal vaccine.

• One dose at 2months of age
• One dose at 4months of age
• One dose at 6months of age
• One dose at 12-15months of age

 

2-5 years of age should be vaccinated only if sickle cell disease, damaged spleen or no spleen HIV/AIDS, immune system defects such as diabetes or are on steroids.

Meningococcal vaccine: Anywhere between 12-19 years of age.