Vaccination(Immunisation) is a process in which a modified part of disease producing organism is given into the body, either through mouth or through injections.This modified part is not capable of causing disease but capable of activating the body to produce a substance in the body which kills the disease producing organism which subsequently invades the body.This is called active immunisation.It is done before any organism attacks the body.
When an organism has already attacked the body and body is not capable of fighting it,antibody already available is injected into the body to kill that organism and it is called passive immunisation
Immunisation starts from birth, when no organism has yet attacked the body. When it is not done ,antibody which has come from mother to newborn acts as a killer to any attacking organism,provided it is already present in mother.
SCHEDULE OF VACCINATION:
AT BIRTH(1.);BCG-to protect against Tb(Tuberculosis) is given on left arm and a scar may form at the site after healing of the wound formed 4-6 weeks after the vaccination.Scar persists lifelong.
(2) Hepatitis B first dose is given to protect against hepatitis ,a liver disease.
(3)Oral polio vaccine is given through mouth to protect against polio disease.
AT 6 WEEKS OF AGE:a combination vaccine is given which contains DPT,IPV,Hepatitis B,Hemophilus influenzae b. DPT protects against Diphtheria,Tetanus and Pertussis.IPV is injectable polio vaccine to protect against polio,Hemophilus vaccine protects against a bacterial infections causing pneumonia and meningitis.
At this age Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine can be given to protect against severe form of pneumonia and Rotavirus vaccine can be given orally to protect against severe form of diarrhoea.
AT 10 WEEKS OF AGE: All vaccines given at the age of 6 weeks are repeated.
AT 14 WEEKS OF AGE:All vaccines given at the age of 10 weeks are repeated except Rotavirus if R1 has been used.If R5 has been used for Rota virus protection,then it is also repeated as third dose.
AT 6 MONTHS OF AGE;The first dose of influenza vaccine is given to protect against influenza virus causing severe form of pneumonia in children.
AT THE AGE OF 7 MONTHS;The second dose of influenza vaccine is given which is then repeated every year.
AT 9 MONTHS OF AGE;MMR vaccine is given to protect against viral diseases caused by measles,mumps,and rubella viruses.
At this age Typhoid conjugate vaccine can be given as a single dose to protect against Typhoid fever and Meningococcal conjugate vaccine can be given to protect against meningitis(brain fever) caused by Meningococcus.It is repeated after 3 months,.
AT 1 YEAR OF AGE;Hapatitis A vaccine is given to protect against hepatitis ,liver disease.At this age ,Encephalitis vaccine(JEEV) can be given to protect against Japanese encephalitis ,a lethal disease.This vaccine(JEEV) is repeated after 4 weeks.
AT THE AGE OF 15 MONTHS:MMR vaccine is repeated .At this age, Varicella vaccine is given to protect against chicken pox.The booster dose of Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is given at this age.
AT THE AGE OF 18 MONTHS:BOOSTER doses of DPT,IPV and Hepatitis A is given.Booster dose of Hemophilus influenza type b is also given at this age.
AT THE AGE OF 2 YEARS; Vi Polysaccaride vaccine may be given to protect against Typhoid to those child who has not received Typhoid conjugate vaccine
AT THE AGE OF 4-6 YEARS;BOOSTER DOSES of DPT,MMR AND VARICELLA are given at this age.
AT THE AGE OF 10 YEARS;TdaP Vaccine is now recommended which acts as a booster for Diphtheria,Tetanus and Pertussis.For girl child ,HPV vaccine is given to protect against cervical cancer and it should be repeated after 1 -2 months and 6 months of first dose.
AT THE AGE 16 YEARS:TdaP vaccine is repeated.
POST EXPOSURE VACCINE;In case of dog bite or bite from any wild or unknown animal ,a vaccine is given to protect against a lethal disease,Rabies.It is 100% lethal disease for which no treatment is available.
Five doses are given on days 0,3,7,14,28.In third degree, bite immunoglobulin is also given as early as possible and not beyond 7 days.
NOTES;a minimum of 4 weeks interval is must between two doses of same vaccine.But, it can be given if one has missed the schedule date.It is safe to be given between 4-8 weeks.
If a child is completely vaccinated, there is no need of repeated Tetanus vaccine after minor injuries.
No vaccine gives 100% protection.
Adverse effects can happen to any vaccine ,most commonly within 30 minutes after vaccination but may occur later on.
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