DPT vaccine:

Commonly known as triple vaccine; this is a combined vaccine for 'D'iphtheria, 'P'ertussis (Whooping cough) and 'T'etanus.

It should be started 6-8 weeks after birth. Three doses have to be taken at 4 weeks interval followed by 2 booster doses at 1.5 and 5 yrs of age.
It is given intramuscularly on the anterolateral aspect of thigh.

DPT vaccine is not recommended after 6-7 yrs of age, as the 'P' component causes complications like prolonged convulsions, infantile spasms, and encephalitis. DT is recommended for children beyond this age. DT should also be used for the following -

• A child having convulsions within 3 days of receiving the vaccine.
• Reaction to first dose.
• Persistent screaming within 72 hrs of injection.
• Hyperpyrexia

You should:

• Give Paracetamol in case there is fever
• Apply ice locally to relieve pain

Polio vaccine:

Two types of vaccine available - oral and injectable; oral one is preferred in India. It is a live attenuated vaccine. Oral vaccine is preferred as it provides both systemic & gut immunity.

The vaccine should be started at 6 wks of age. WHO recommends a 'zero' dose at birth. The schedule is as follows:

• At birth - zero dose
• 1^st dose - 6 wks
• 2^nd dose - 10 wks
• 3^rd dose - 14 wks
• 4^th dose - 18 wks
• 5^th dose - 22 wks
• 1^st booster - 1.5 yrs
• 2^nd booster - 4-5 yrs

Precautions:

• Do not administer hot liquids, food, and breast milk half an hour prior to and after vaccination.
• Contrary to popular belief it can be given when child has cold, cough and mild fever. High fever or major systemic disease is a contraindication.
  

Mothers commonly ask that when we have given all the vaccines on time, should we participate in the PULSE-POLIO Programme?

The answer is an absolute YES! Your participation is a MUST for eradication of polio from this country. Mass immunization on a gigantic scale was responsible for global eradication of Small Pox. Pulse Programme ensures that ALL children in community have the protection against Polio. Secondly 1-2 more doses will always be beneficial and will never harm your child. Remember if we have to have our country and then this world FREE OF POLIO – only your child can make it happen by joining Pulse Polio Drive

Know more about Pulse Polio Immunization

H. influenzae b infection occurs in first two years of life. Infection with Hemophilus influenzae B (HiB) in children less than 24 mths of age does not confer immunity and they have to be immunized.

This vaccine is often referred to as the Hib vaccine. The vaccine is given intramuscularly or subcutaneously either in the buttock or in the thigh. Children over 2 yrs can receive the vaccine in the arm. The schedule is -

Below 6 months - 3 doses at 1-2 month interval followed by a booster at 12 months
Between 6 -12 months - 2 doses 1-2 month interval followed by a booster at 12 months
Above 12 months - 1 dose

The pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine protects against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria.

Infants and toddlers may have a poor or unpredictable antibody response; hence the vaccine is not recommended for children under two years of age.

Who should get the vaccine?

1. Anyone over 2 years of age who has a long term health problem such as: Heart disease, Lung disease, Liver disease, Diabetes, Sickle cell disease, Alcoholism
2. Anyone over 2 years of age who has a disease or condition that lowers the body’s resistance to infections, such as: Certain cancers, Kidney disorders, HIV infection/AIDS, Organ transplant, Damaged spleen or no spleen.
3. Anyone over 2 years of age who is taking any medicines or treatment that lowers the body’s resistance to infection such as: Long term steroids, Cancer drugs, Radiation treatment

Another entrant of 1999. It is an inactivated vaccine recommended for children above one year of age.

0.5 ml of vaccine is given intramuscularly in the antero-lateral part of the thigh in infants and 1 ml in the deltoid region in adults. There are two regimes Two doses (720 units each) are given at 6 mths interval. A booster dose has to be taken 6-12 months after the first dose. 

Quite an expensive vaccine but recommended, as children who get the infection are more prone to get chronic hepatitis and Liver cancer in later years.

It induces 90% protection against hepatitis B virus infection and adverse effects are minimal, consisting mainly of soreness at injection site.
All newborns should be administered the vaccine.

If your child is unimmunised at whatever age, Hepatitis B vaccine is strongly recommended. Two schedules have been recommended:

Infants who did not receive a dose of the vaccine at birth should receive three doses by 18 months of age. The minimum interval between first two doses is 1 month and next two doses is 3-4 months.