Baby Vaccination is something that is mandatory for the growth and development of newborn babies. These vaccines are designed to prevent infants and young children from several possible diseases like flu, whooping cough, measles, mumps, polio, or tetanus. Doctors and parents lay great stress on the vaccination schedule of a baby. Child doctors provide a vaccination schedule that mentions the name of vaccines that are compulsory for a child, along with the time at which they are to be administered. A few years back, the Indian government introduced several vaccines and various free healthcare programs to overcome the increasing rate of different serious illnesses. Vaccination for babies is the most effective way to eliminate infectious diseases.

What is The Vaccine?

"Developing a strong immune system by injecting weakened bacteria"

Vaccines are dead or sometimes weakened bacteria/viruses or microorganisms that are responsible for causing various diseases. Once the vaccine is injected, the body automatically starts producing antibodies to fight those dead bacteria. This results in the immunization of the body to bacteria/viruses of a particular type. With the help of shots, the child gets immunized which reduces the chances of the baby contracting the disease. Therefore, the childhood vaccine provides a healthy and disease-free body.

Types Of Vaccine

The pediatrician issues a schedule suggesting the name of the vaccine and the time/age at which it is to be administered to the baby. There are different types of vaccines that should be administered to a child. Some of these are:

BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin): This is an Anti-Tuberculosis Vaccine administered to babies at birth.
Hep B (Hepatitis B): This Vaccine protects the infant against infection of Hepatitis B.
OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine): OPV is a live attenuated Oral polio Vaccine administered as two drops usually at birth and continued later on at regular intervals.
IPV (Inactive Polio Vaccine): This injectable Vaccine is also known as Salk Vaccine
DPT(Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Pertussis): Administered as an intramuscular injection into the thigh of the child, this Vaccine provides protection against Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Tetanus. DPT is available in three forms - DTwP, DTaP, and Tdap
Hib (Hemophilus Influenza Type B): This Vaccine confers immunity against complications like Meningitis and Pneumonia caused by Hemophilus Influenza Virus.
PCV (Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine) & PPSV (Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine): These Vaccines protect children from illnesses, such as Pneumonia, Meningitis, and other complications caused by Streptococcus Pneumonia.
RV (Rotavirus): It protects infants against Diarrheal diseases caused by Rotavirus.
Measles: It provides protection against Measles
MMR (Measles Mumps Rubella): The MMR Vaccine confers immunity against Measles, Mumps, and German Measles.
Varicella: This Vaccine provides protection from Chicken Pox
Hepatitis A: It protects the child from infection caused by Hepatitis A
Typhoid: It provides immunity against Typhoid
HPV (Human Papilloma Virus): This Vaccine protects girl child against Cervical Cancer

Other Vaccinations include Influenza Vaccine, New RSV vaccine for babies & adults, Meningococcal Vaccine, Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine (JE), Cholera Vaccine, Rabies Vaccine, and Yellow Fever Vaccine. Along with these vaccines, there are some combination vaccines also available. Combination vaccines are a combination of two or more vaccines given to the infant in a single shot. For example, Pediarix, which combines DTaP, Hep B, and IPV (polio), ProQuad, which combines MMR and varicella, and Kinrix, which combines DTaP and IPV (polio).

Benefits of Baby Vaccination

The major benefit of vaccination is that it builds a strong immune system that protects the body from several diseases. Some of the vaccine-preventable diseases are amputation of an arm or leg, paralysis of limbs, hearing loss, convulsions, brain damage, death, and so on. Every newborn should get vaccinated for healthy growth and development. Safe and effective, all vaccines are manufactured after a long and careful review and research by scientists, doctors, and the government.

Complications After Vaccination of Child

With the merit of developing an immune system, baby vaccination may also carry some side effects. Some of the complications that may arise after every vaccination process are sore arm, low-grade fever, headache, itching, redness & swelling at the site of injection, and fatigue. Along with all these, it may also cause several rare side effects such as allergic reactions or seizures. These side effects get recovered in less time. If the child is seriously ill on the date of vaccination, he/she might be asked to come back later for the same as it may be harmful to the child to get injected with such microorganisms.

Never Forget the Precautions

Never forget the precautions before going for vaccination. Always take care of the following points:

Discuss with the doctor about mandatory and optional Vaccines
Check out with the child's doctor if the baby has any serious Allergies, Fever, Cold, History of Convulsions, Family History of HIV/AIDS, and others.
Don't leave the clinic immediately after a shot, wait at the clinic for a few minutes post-shot to check for any adverse reaction
Don't panic if mild complications such as Redness or Swelling occur at the site of injection and a Slight Fever
Call for medical help if the condition of a child becomes worst and consult with your doctor as soon as possible.
Use a cool sponge to overcome the fever caused by the shots.
The cool wet cloth will be beneficial to reduce the redness and soreness and swelling.

Read here about: Right Time for Baby Vaccination

Baby Vaccination Plans in India

To reduce the case of these serious illnesses, the government of India has introduced various vaccination plans. Many committees are working hard for immunization to prevent such serious diseases. The vaccination Plan in India is as per recommendations provided by the following organizations:

Ministry of Health, Govt. of India, and
The Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP)

Recommendations provided by the Govt. of India as per the Universal Immunization Program is as follows:

At Birth: BCG and OPV
6, 10 & 14 Weeks: DPT and OPV
6 to 9 Months: OPV
9 Months: Measles Vaccine
15 to 18 Months: DPT Booster and OPV
5 Years: DPT and OPV
10 Years: Tetanus
15 Years: Tetanus

Recommendations provided by the Indian Academy of Pediatrics are for two categories:

For Routine Use
For High-risk Children

IAP Recommendations for Routine Use:

At Birth: BCG, OPV, and Hep B
6 Weeks: DTwP / DTaP, IPV, Hep B, Hib, RV, and PCV
10 Weeks: DTwP / DTaP, IPV, Hib, RV, and PCV
14 Weeks: DTwP / DTaP, IPV, Hib, RV, and PCV
6 Months: OPV and Hep B
9 Months: OPV and Measles Vaccine
12 Months: Hep A
15 Months: MMR, Varicella, and PCV Booster
16 to 18 Months: DTwP / DTaP, IPV, and Hib
18 Months: Hep A
2 Years: Typhoid
4 and a Half Years to 5 Years: DTwP / DTaP, OPV, MMR, Varicella, and Typhoid
10 Years to 12 Years: TdaP / Td and HPV

IAP Recommendations for High-Risk Children: Recommendations for High-Risk Children include all the vaccines for routine use with an additional dosage of certain Vaccines at defined intervals, such as Influenza Vaccine, Meningococcal Vaccine, JE Vaccine, Cholera Vaccine, Rabies Vaccine, Yellow Fever Vaccine, and PPSV. Read here about: Know Your Child's Vaccine Schedule: What Shots Baby Needs & When

International Guidelines Relevant in India

The Immunization Schedule as per the Indian Academy of Pediatrics based on international guidelines considers recommendations of reputed international bodies, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The organization follows guidelines set by the WHO in the following areas: According to WHO guidelines, most countries administer Rotavirus Vaccine at 6, 10, 14 weeks schedules. IAP recommends providing the Vaccine at 10 and 14 weeks schedule. WHO reveals that India faces a peak in Influenza virus circulation before the onset of the rainy season. IAP has provided specific recommendations for Influenza Vaccination in different parts of the country. IAP follows the below-listed recommendations made by the CDC:

Administering Hep B at Birth before hospital discharge
Subsequent doses of Hep B after Birth Dose are as per CDC guidelines
The minimum age for Rotavirus Vaccines is 6 weeks. The maximum age for the first dose in the series is 14 weeks, 6 days; and for the final dose is 8 months, 0 days. No Vaccination is required for infants aged 15 weeks, 0 days, or older.
The minimum age for DTP, PCV, & Hib is 6 weeks
The minimum age for MMR, Varicella, and Hep A is 12 months

Choose Vaccination For The Healthy Immune System

Vaccination is something that will decide your children's healthy life. Child shots work effectively only if done on time and according to the vaccination schedule. It may cause some side effects but for very less time. It helps in building up the immune system of kids so that they grow healthy and happy. Baby vaccination works effectively only if done on time and according to the schedule. Parents should always follow the vaccination schedule prescribed by doctors. Get every child vaccinated for better health conditions and a healthy future. Also, read about the development of a child in the first four weeks of being born here. To keep a track of the vaccination schedule, consult with the best pediatrician near you or book an appointment with the Best Pediatrician in Indiahere. For more information or personal guidance, talk to Credihealth Medical Expert today.