We have always heard “Prevention is better than Cure”, but it is essential when it comes to diseases and babies. No matter how strong a baby’s immune system is, there are various diseases which the immune system is not equipped enough to prevent. Immunising your child can help protect him for many deadly diseases and for that you can follow this vaccination chart.

Hence, it is important to get your child vaccinated as it will avert those diseases and ensure that the child remains hearty and healthy.

Also Read: Baby Care in the Initial Days

Some important vaccines that Pediatricians recommend and you must ensure your newborn baby gets suggested vaccinations (Tika) on time:

#1. Bacillus Calmette-Guerin Vaccine (BCG)

This vaccine protects against the harmful effects of childhood tuberculosis which is called Tuberculous Meningitis. BCG is given anytime from birth to 15 days. The standard dose of BCG vaccine given to children is 0.1mg in 1 ml of vaccine.

#2. Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV)

As the name suggests, this vaccine prevents the infant from Polio which causes paralysis. The Government of India has initiated a Pulse Polio Immunization Program to ensure that all children up till five years of age get vaccinated twice a year free of cost. Recently the Government also initiated Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) to prevent virulent strains of polio in the community. The dosage for this is:

• 1st dose: 2 months.
• 2nd dose: 4 months.
• 3rd dose: 6-18 months.
• Booster dose: 4-6 years.

#3. Hepatitis B Vaccine

Hepatitis B is a disease that affects the liver, so it’s important to get your child vaccinated and immune to this disease. The vaccine requires three doses, with the first is usually given a day or two after birth. The second one is given at 1 month and the third dose is given at 6 months of age.

 

#4. DTaP/DTP

This vaccine provides immunity against the diseases Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis. It is given to the baby at 1.5 months, 2.5 months and 3.5 months of age. When children are 1.5 years old, they are given a second dose of DPT Vaccine. On reaching the age of 5, children are given a dose of the Double DT Vaccine that contains germs to prevent diphtheria and tetanus. DTP is the older painful vaccine that was given to protect babies against the above diseases and DTaP which is a painless and a newer and safer version of it, which is used nowadays.

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#5. Haemophilus influenzae B (HiB) Vaccine

It is responsible for providing immunity against Haemophilus Influenzae virus which causes bacterial infections in brain, skin, and throat. The vaccine is given at 2 months and at 4 months followed by a booster dose at 15 months of age.

 

#6. Rotavirus Vaccine

Rotavirus causes severe diarrhea and dehydration in young children. This vaccine is given between 6-15 weeks of age. This vaccine is given orally unlike the other vaccines that are given through injection. Rotavirus is given three times at the following ages:

• One dose at 2 months of age
• One dose at 4 months of age
• One does at 6 months of age

#7. Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

This vaccine provides immunity against the diseases measles and mumps and it is given in two doses. The first one is given when the infants are nine months old and another dose is given at 12-15 months of age.

 

#8. Varicella Vaccine

Varicella virus causes Chickenpox. This vaccine provides protection against this virus and is given when the child is 12-18 months old. Another dose is given 3 months after the first dose.

#9. Hepatitis A Vaccine

The Hepatitis A vaccine is given to prevent the infections caused by the hepatitis A virus. Hepatitis A is a deadly disease of the liver and it can be life-threatening. This vaccine is given as two doses for children. The first dose is given between 12-23 months of age and the second one is given 6-10 months after the first dose.

 

#10. Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV)

It provides protection against Pneumonia. It is a pneumococcal and a conjugate vaccine which protects infants and small children from pneumonia, which is caused by the bacterium streptococcus pneumoniae. This is how it is given:

• A dose at 2 months.
• A dose at 4 months.
• A dose at 6-18 months.
• A booster dose at 4-6 years.

Vaccines are a major part of a baby’s health care regime as they have proved to be beneficial in providing protection against various serious and even deadly diseases.

Also Read: A Complete Guide : Baby Growth Spurts

Here is the VACCINATION CHART Recommended by IAP:

 

How to Prepare the Baby for a Vaccination?

Seeing your baby pricked and in pain is a terrifying sight for many new mothers. A newborn is really delicate and a mother can just not see her baby in pain. The truth of the matter is that vaccinations hurt but they are extremely crucial to the health of your little one. So, you can reduce your baby’s pain by a few ways:

• Swaddle the baby – Wrap your baby tightly in a blanket and just leave the legs exposed for her to get vaccinated.
• Hold your baby – Make your baby sit on your lap and hold her firmly. Make shushing sounds in the ear and make your baby look away.
• Talk to your baby – Although your child cannot understand much but talking to the baby helps to distract the child. You can either tell your child about the vaccine itself or talk about anything else to keep your child engaged.
• Breastfeed – Check with the pediatrician if it is ok to allow the baby to feed, you may offer him/her your breast or a bottle while he/she is being vaccinated.
• Sing a rhyme – Sing a song or a rhyme or give your child an attractive toy while holding firmly so that the child is distracted and can be vaccinated easily.
• Inform – In the case of older children such as toddlers, you can inform the child and engage him with his favorite toy or touch and feel book

Also Read: 8 Precautions in Breastfeeding when Mom is Sick (Including 5 Advantages)

After Vaccination Care of Babies

Getting a shot really hurts you and me. Babies are no different. Since they are so delicate, you can expect the following after a shot:

Crankiness – A little discomfort and crankiness are normal after getting an injection. Baby skin is very soft and they feel the prick more than adults. Your child may cling to you more.

• Solution – You can soothe your crying baby by swinging and rocking your child. Praise your child and allow your child to breastfeed after asking the doctor. Hold your baby close to your body and hug him. Nothing works better than a mother’s touch.

Fever – Although most vaccines do not cause any side effect; some may make your baby develop a mild fever. There is nothing to worry about. You can check with your doctor in case such a situation arises.

• Solution – Your doctor will prescribe a dose of crocin or calpol to bring the fever down. But don’t give any medication without prescription.

Lump and redness – A small lump or redness at the site of the injection is a common reaction after a vaccination. Most of the times it goes away on its own.

• Solution– Check with your doctor and apply a cold compress if your child is feeling uncomfortable.

Inactive – Your child may seem to be less energetic and show less activity after the shot which is perfectly ok.

• Solution – Your child will be fine within a day. However, if he/she is unable to eat and shows discomfort after 24 hours of getting vaccinated, you may check with the doctor.

Swelling and rashes – The MMR, varicella, and DTaP vaccine usually cause some amount of rashes or swelling on the arm or the entire body.

• Solution – Most of the times, these rashes are harmless and not contagious and they go away on their own in a few days. If your child is happy and playing, you need not worry. In case, the child shows some discomfort, you can check with your pediatrician if any pain relieving medicine or soothing lotion needs to be applied.

Excessive Crying – It is completely normal for your child to feel the pain and cry due to it.

• Solution – You can check with your pediatrician and breastfeed the baby after a certain duration. Most vaccinations need a half an hour gap before the baby can eat anything. Breastfeeding makes the baby feel secure and also fills his tummy. However, breastfeeding before the vaccination may not be a good idea as the needle prick may make the baby puke!

Distract the Baby – Babies are delicate and feel the pain more than adults. They are not able to remove their focus from the pain as adults do. They will continue to look at it and cry for longer durations of time. In such a scenario, you need to distract the child in the following ways:

• Giving sugar to the baby is one way to distract the baby. The sweet taste of sugar has most babies feel better and forget about the pain. But remember that you can give sugar only after your baby is 1 year old.
• Carry your child’s favorite toy with you and give it to the child while he/she is being vaccinated while holding him/her firmly.
• Be calm. It is very important for the parents/caregivers to remain calm and remember that the pain of the vaccination will go away in some time but it is essential to prevent your child from contracting diseases.

We hope that this vaccination chart has been helpful to you.

Also Read: 7 Reasons why babies cry or act hungry even after breastfeeding – we have solutions too

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