Vaccination is the first line of defense against any diseases. It makes it very important for the children and infants to be well vaccinated and prepared for the diseases. Some mothers may have any queries regarding the immunization schedule, importance of the same and requirements of these vaccinations. The government vaccination schedule in India is available for everyone.
Here’s all you need to know about Government Vaccination Schedule in India:
Universal Immunisation Programme is one of the key interventions for the protection of children from life-threatening conditions, which are preventable in India. The vaccination that comes under the Universal Immunisation Programme, Government of India for providing vaccination is for the prevention of 7 vaccine-preventable diseases i.e.Polio, Measles, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, a severe form of Childhood Tuberculosis and Hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) and Diarrhoea.
So let’s see the list of this vaccination schedule, these vaccinations are important ones and are to be given on time.
At birth: BCG, hepatitis ( birth dose), oral polio vaccine ( birth dose). BCG to be given as early as possible or till one year of age, hepatitis to be given as early as possible or within 24hrs of birth, oral polio vaccine also to be given as early as possible or within 15 days of the child’s life.
At 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks – OPV 1,2,3 to be given to give at 6 weeks, 10 weeks and 14 weeks each. Also, pentavalent vaccine too to be given at the same time span along with rota virus vaccine which is also to be given at 6 weeks, 10 weeks and 14 weeks. The IPV vaccine is an injection form of polio vaccine which is to be given at 14 weeks of the baby’s age. IPV comes with two options of being painless and one which is the normal one. What exactly is pain-free? On the basis of my experience the baby does feel pain while injecting but after which the part doesn’t swell and there is no pain in the injection area. Also, the expectancy of fever is less.
At nine months – Vitamin A 1st dose along with dose of measles vaccine is given at this time period.
After 9 months of age – measles first dose to be given at nine months, can be given till the baby turns 12 months.
Now, certain queries that parents have regarding the Government vaccination schedule in India –
- What is to be done with the pain and swelling post vaccination?
- The doctors recommend to breastfeed the baby after and during the vaccination is an excellent way to tackle pain. Also, except for post BCG vaccination the arm and leg can be given ice packs.
- Is it normal to have puss like formation post BCG vaccination?
- It is very much normal to have boil like development over the injection site of BCG vaccine, it is advised not to break it or rub it with rough cloth. It will disappear on its own.
- Are the other vaccination important that are given in private hospitals?
- These vaccinations are the advancement of science, earlier even I would think twice before bringing my child for vaccination like pneumonia, cholera, typhoid etc. But seeing the current situation of corona virus and so which causes diseases similar to pneumonia one may never know when our baby will require protection against such diseases, so it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
It is important for every parent to be aware about the Government vaccination schedule in India and to make sure that your kid undertakes each one of them as per the guidelines.