Babies' immune systems are not as strong as adults’, and they are more vulnerable to some infections. Diseases such as measles, polio, hepatitis B and whooping cough can lead to serious health problems in young children.
Vaccination can provide protection by training their immune system to recognise and defend them. Following the recommended child vaccination schedule helps protect children when they need it most.
In this blog, we provide a complete childhood immunisation guide to help parents understand important vaccines, recommended ages and booster doses.
Understanding Childhood Immunisation
Immunisation helps the body develop protection against infectious diseases, usually through vaccination. Vaccines help the immune system recognise and fight specific infections without causing the disease they protect against.
This means that when the body actually comes into contact with the infection at a later stage, it will better cope with the situation.
Vaccination for children has more than an impact on preventing children from falling ill with common diseases. It decreases the threat of serious complications, hospitalisation and death from a number of infectious diseases.
High vaccination rates also reduce transmission of infections among communities.
Essential Vaccines for Children in India
Vaccines are given at various stages of childhood. Each vaccine offers coverage against certain diseases and potential disease complications.
These are just a few of the must-know childhood vaccines for parents:
- BCG Vaccine: Helps protect young children against severe forms of tuberculosis, including TB meningitis.
- Hepatitis B Vaccine: Helps prevent hepatitis B, an infection that affects the liver and may cause lasting damage.
- Polio Vaccine: Provides protection against polio, a viral disease that can lead to permanent paralysis.
- DPT Vaccine: Helps protect children from three serious infections: diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus.
- Hib Vaccine: Prevents serious infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b, including meningitis.
- Rotavirus Vaccine: Reduces the risk of severe diarrhoea and dehydration caused by rotavirus.
- Pneumococcal Vaccine: Helps prevent infections caused by pneumococcal bacteria, which can affect the lungs, brain and bloodstream.
- Measles and Rubella Vaccine: Prevents two contagious viral infections that can cause serious complications.
- Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine: Helps prevent a viral infection spread through mosquito bites. It is part of the government's routine vaccination programme in areas where the disease is common.
Most of these vaccines are part of India's Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP). Depending on the age and medical history of the child, other vaccines may also be required.
Childhood Vaccination Schedule in India
The childhood vaccine schedule India follows recommends vaccinations at different ages to protect children as they grow. Many vaccines require multiple doses in infancy to build an adequate primary antibody response, followed by later boosters to reinforce long-term immune memory.
Routine immunisation is provided right from birth till teens under the government's immunisation schedule India. India's childhood vaccination programme is detailed below.
Vaccinations at Birth
The first vaccinations are given soon after delivery. They include the BCG, the hepatitis B birth dose and the first dose of the oral polio vaccine.
Ideally, the hepatitis B birth dose should be given within 24 hours of birth. These early vaccines for babies provide protection against infections that may have serious consequences during infancy.
Vaccinations at 6, 10 and 14 Weeks
Babies get a number of vaccines at regular intervals in their first months.
The following is a list of immunisations being offered to babies during these weeks:
- 6 Weeks: First doses of OPV, pentavalent, rotavirus, fractional IPV and pneumococcal vaccines.
- 10 Weeks: Second doses of OPV, pentavalent and rotavirus vaccines.
- 14 Weeks: Third doses of OPV, pentavalent and rotavirus vaccines, along with the second fractional IPV and pneumococcal doses.
The pentavalent vaccine protects against five diseases, reducing the number of separate injections required.
Vaccinations at 9 to 24 Months
As children approach their first birthday, additional vaccinations help protect them against infections such as measles and rubella.
The main vaccinations during this period include:
- 9-12 Months: First measles-rubella dose, pneumococcal booster and Japanese encephalitis vaccine in eligible districts.
- 16-24 Months: Second measles-rubella dose, first DPT booster, oral polio booster and second Japanese encephalitis dose where applicable.
Vaccinations During Childhood and Adolescence
Vaccination continues beyond infancy. Children receive a second DPT booster at 5-6 years, followed by tetanus and adult diphtheria (Td) vaccines at 10 and 16 years under the UIP.
Parents should remember that government schedules and individual paediatric vaccination recommendations may differ. A paediatrician can confirm the appropriate schedule based on previous doses and medical history.
Additional Vaccines Recommended for Children
Other than the routine childhood immunisation schedule, doctors might suggest extra immunisations. These recommendations take account of the child's age, current protection, medical risk of exposure and current medical conditions.
Other vaccines that parents might want to talk to their paediatrician about:
- MMR vaccine
- Chickenpox vaccine
- Hepatitis A vaccine
- Typhoid vaccine
- Influenza vaccine
- HPV vaccine
The Indian Academy of Paediatrics makes the recommendations on these vaccines, like doses and age appropriateness.
Importance of Booster Vaccines for Children
Some vaccines provide strong protection after the first dose, while others need additional doses to maintain protection. The extra doses are known as boosters. They help strengthen protection when the effects of earlier doses begin to decrease.
Children need booster doses to maintain protection against diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio.
Parents should remember that completing infant vaccinations does not mean their child will need no further doses. The proper booster schedule keeps your child protected as he or she gets older.
Managing Missed or Delayed Vaccinations
Parents could miss a vaccination appointment due to sickness, travel or other reasons. While it is important to get the vaccination on time, it is not always necessary to repeat the entire course if there is missed vaccination in children.
Where children are not up-to-date with immunisations, their paediatricians normally recommend a catch up programme. This enables children who are eligible to get doses that they are due for while keeping the appropriate time gap between the doses.
If a vaccine has been missed, parents can do the following:
- Check Vaccination Records: Identify which vaccine and dose were missed.
- Consult a Paediatrician: Ask when the pending vaccine can safely be administered.
- Follow the Catch-Up Schedule: Complete the remaining doses according to medical advice.
- Update Vaccination Records: Record each completed dose and the next appointment date.
Because catch-up schedules depend on minimum intervals between doses and specific age ceilings, parents should always follow a paediatrician’s tailored timeline rather than guessing.
Safety and Common Side Effects of Childhood Vaccination
Vaccines for children are safety-tested and monitored. Vaccinations are generally well-tolerated by most children but may have some mild side effects as the immune system reacts.
Side effects after the vaccination include:
- Mild pain, redness or swelling at the injection site
- Low-grade fever
- Temporary irritability or increased crying
- Mild tiredness or reduced appetite
- Occasional mild rash after certain vaccines
Severe allergic reactions are rare, but they require immediate medical attention. If the child appears to be struggling to breathe, or if he/she collapses or starts to swell up in the face after vaccination, this is a medical emergency.
Preparing Your Child for Vaccination
Knowing what to expect can make vaccination appointments easier for parents and children. Having the vaccination card on hand also facilitates the paediatrician's ability to review previous vaccinations.
There are a few things that can be done to make the appointment more comfortable:
- Carry the child's vaccination card to every appointment.
- Inform the paediatrician about previous allergic reactions or medical conditions.
- Ask about expected side effects and appropriate home care.
- Comfort and breastfeed younger babies during or after vaccination where possible.
- Confirm the next vaccination date before leaving.
Sometimes, a mild illness does not mean you must delay vaccinations. But if a child has a serious illness, he or she should be evaluated first before being given a vaccine.
Conclusion
Following the recommended schedule, completing booster doses and addressing delayed vaccinations help maintain protection throughout childhood. This childhood immunisation guide can serve as a starting point, but every child's vaccination needs should be reviewed individually.
Sarvodaya Hospital, Faridabad, supports childhood immunisation through its paediatric care services. Parents seeking a trusted paediatrician in Faridabad can consult the hospital about vaccination schedules, pending doses and age-appropriate immunisation. Compared with waiting until an infection develops and then requiring treatment, timely vaccination offers preventive protection and reduces the risk of severe illness.
Consult a paediatrician at Sarvodaya Hospital and book an appointment now to review your child's vaccination needs.
