Vaccination For Children and Universal Immunization Programme
The demand for immunization of children is increasing amid the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in India, as some studies have found that the third wave of COVID-19 will be dangerous for children. This thing is slowly creating an atmosphere of fear among the parents. The second wave put India under tremendous pressure in terms of medical facilities, about 4 lakh Covid-19 cases started coming in every day and the death toll of Covid-19 patients also crossed 4000 every day. The Central Government has worked with the state governments against COVID-19, though some hurdle came on the way, this figure is now gradually being brought under control. The second wave of Covid-19 created a frightening situation in the country. Thankfully, the situation is slowly coming under control now, but still, we have to be careful in the long run. The government is also working on vaccination. Currently, vaccines are available for people over the age of 18 in India. The Indian government is in talks with Pfizer, whose vaccine has been approved for children over the age of 12. Therefore, it is believed that vaccination of children can also start in July or August. The vaccines developed by Zydus and Covaxin are undergoing clinical trials for children aged 12-18 years in India. India will need 25-30 crore vaccines to vaccinate children. Therefore, in the coming 2 to 3 months, the vaccination of children in the age group of 12-18 years can start.
Apart from the COVID-19 vaccine, children also need some other vaccines for better immunity against various other diseases caused by bacteria or viruses. To fulfil this objective, the Government of India has started a program of vaccination of children from their birth to the age of 12-13 years. All this work is done under the Immunization Programme. So let us also discuss this Immunization programme: -
Universal Immunization Programme:
Immunization is a process in which a person is made immune to an infectious disease by a vaccine. Vaccines are the substance which stimulates the immune system of the body to protect the person from the infection and disease.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India in 1978 introduced Immunization Programme as “Expanded Programme of Immunization”. Later in 1985, this programme was modified as “Universal Immunization Programme”. This programme was implemented in a phased manner in all the district of the country. Universal Immunization Programme is introduced to protect the children from life-threatening conditions which are preventable. Universal Immunization Programme is one of the largest programmes in the world and a major public health intervention in the country. Through the Universal Immunization Programme Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Government of India provides several vaccines to infants, children and pregnant women. Universal Immunization Programme becomes a part of the Child Survival and Safe Motherhood Programme in 1992 since 1997, immunization activities have been an important component of the National Reproductive and Child Health Programme and is currently one of the key areas under the National Rural Health Mission since 2005. Through the Universal Immunization Programme Government of India provides vaccination for seven vaccine-preventable diseases that are - Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, Severe form of Tuberculosis and Hepatitis B, Hemophilus influenza type b (Hib) and Diarrhea.
Vaccines given to Infants, Children and Pregnant Women are as follows: -
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National Immunization Schedule for Infants, Children and Pregnant Women |
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Vaccines |
Content |
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For Pregnant Women |
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Td-1 (Tetanus & Adult Diphtheria) |
About: Previously only TT Vaccine was given but now Td vaccine is given as WHO guideline. When to Give: Early in Pregnancy Dose: 0.5 ml Route and Site: Intra-muscular, on Upper Arm |
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Td-2 |
When to Give: After 4 weeks of Td-1 Dose:0.5 ml Route and Site: Intra-muscular, on Upper Arm |
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Td- Booster |
When to Give: If 2 doses of TT/Td is received in pregnancy within the last 3 years* Dose: 0.5 ml Route and Site: Intra-muscular, on Upper Arm |
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For Infants |
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BCG – Bacillus Calmette Guerin |
About: It is given to infants to protect them from tubercular meningitis and disseminated TB When to Give: At birth or as early as possible Dose: 0.1 ml (0.5 ml until one month age) Route and Site: Intra-dermal, Left Upper Arm |
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Hepatitis B – Birth Dose |
About: Protect from Hepatitis B virus When to Give: At birth or as early as possible Dose: 0.5 ml Route and Site: Intra-muscular, Antero-lateral side of mid-thigh |
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Oral Polio Vaccine (POV - 0) |
When to Give: At birth or as early as possible Dose: 2 Drops Route and Site: Oral, Oral |
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OPV 1, 2 & 3 |
When to Give: At 6 weeks, 10 weeks & 14 weeks (OPV can be given till 5 years) Dose: 2 Drops Route and Site: Oral, Oral |
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Pentavalent 1, 2 & 3 |
About: It is a combined vaccine to protect children from Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Hemophilus, hepatitis B When to Give: At 6 weeks, 10 weeks & 14 weeks (can be given till one year of years) Dose: 0.5 ml Route and Site: Intra-muscular, Antero-lateral side of mid-thigh |
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Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) (In Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, MP, UP, Haryana & Rajasthan only) |
About: It protects infants and young children from disease caused by the bacterium Streptococcus. When to Give: Two primary doses at 6 & 14 weeks followed by the booster dose at 9-12 months Dose: 0.5 ml Route and Site: Intra-muscular, Antero-lateral side of mid-thigh |
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Rotavirus (RVV) |
About: It protects infants and children from rotavirus diarrhoea. It is given in selected states. When to Give: At 6 weeks, 10 weeks & 14 weeks (can be given till one year of years) Dose: 5 Drops or 2.5 ml lyophilized vaccine Route and Site: Oral, Oral |
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Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) |
About: It is used to boost the protection against poliomyelitis. When to Give: Two fractional doses at 6 and 14 weeks of age Dose: 0.1 ml Route and Site: Intradermal two fraction dose, Right Upper Arm |
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Measles-Rubella (MR) 1st Dose |
About: It protects infants and children from Measles and Rubella. When to Give: 9-12 months Dose: 0.5 ml Route and Site: Sub-cutaneous, Right Upper Arm |
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Japanese Encephalitis (JE) – 1 (Selected Endemic Districts only) |
About: It gives protection against Japanese Encephalitis. When to Give: 9-12 months Dose: 0.5 ml Route and Site: Sub-Cutaneous, Left upper arm Intramuscular, Anterolateral aspect of mid-thigh |
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Vitamin A – 1st Dose |
When to Give: 9 months completed with Measles-Rubella Dose: 1 ml Route and Site: Oral, Oral |
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For Children |
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Diphtheria, Pertussis & Tetanus (DPT) Booster - 1 |
About: It protects children from Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis. When to Give: 16-24 Months Dose: 0.5 ml Route and Site: Intra-muscular, Antero-lateral side of the mid-thigh |
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MR 2nd Dose |
When to Give: 16-24 Months Dose: 0.5 ml Route and Site: Sub-Cutaneous, Right Upper Arm |
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OPV Booster |
When to Give: 16-24 Months Dose: 2 Drops Route and Site: Oral, Oral |
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JE-2 |
When to Give: 16-24 Months Dose: 0.5 ml Route and Site: Sub-Cutaneous, Left upper arm Intramuscular, Anterolateral aspect of mid-thigh |
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Vitamin A 2nd to 9th Dose |
When to Give: 16-18 Months, then one dose every 6 months up to the age of 5 years. Dose: 2 ml Route and Site: Oral, Oral |
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DPT Booster - 2 |
When to Give: 5-6 Years Dose: 0.5 ml Route and Site: Intra-muscular, Upper Arm |
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Td |
About: It is used to limit the waning immunity against diphtheria in older age groups. When to Give: 10 years & 16 Years Dose: 0.5 ml Route and Site: Intra-muscular, Upper Arm |
Vaccination For Children Universal Immunization Programme Covid-19 Pandemic Pandemic immunization third wave of Covid-19 Vaccine Vaccination Vaccination for children Immunization programme immune system Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Government of India Child Survival and Safe Motherhood Programme Diphtheria Pertussis Tetanus Polio Measles Severe form of Tuberculosis Hepatitis B Hemophilus influenza type b (Hib) Diarrhea Vaccines given to Infants Vaccines given to Children Vaccines given to Pregnant Women Vaccination For Children & Universal Immunization Programme
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