Explore a comprehensive government baby vaccination chart. Ensure your newborn's health with this essential guide to required immunizations.
A comprehensive vaccination chart for newborn babies
The human body has its defense mechanism called the immune system which protects us from illnesses and infections. However, newborn babies need vaccination to get protection from life-threatening illnesses like Hepatitis B, Polio, Tetanus, and Pneumococcal infections. Immunisation through vaccines during infancy provides an additional layer of defence by giving strength to the body’s natural immune system.
What is a vaccine?
A vaccine is a medicine or a biological preparation that contains targeted pathogens in an inactivated or weakened form to stimulate the body’s natural immune response. Vaccinations help the infant's body to develop antibodies required to fight the potential illness threats.
With great initiatives by organisations like WHO (World Health Organisation) and UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund), vaccination has played a crucial role in eliminating and preventing many infectious diseases and saving millions of lives across the world. The Government of India also implemented a National Immunisation Program in 1977, soon after declaring the country smallpox-free.
National Immunisation Program
National Immunisation Program or Universal Immunisation Program is an integral part of our country's rural health mission that provides vaccination services to pregnant women, newborn babies, and children across the country. The National Immunisation Program and the government baby vaccination chart have evolved over the years as per the changing health landscape.
Here is a government baby vaccination chart currently under the National Immunisation Program:
Vaccine | Given for | When to give | Route |
BCG | Tuberculosis (TB) | At birth or within a year of birth (as early as possible) | Intra-dermal |
Hepatitis B (birth dose) | To prevent hepatitis B liver disease | At birth or within two years of birth (as early as possible) | Intra-muscular |
OPV -0 | Poliovirus | At birth | Oral |
OPV 1,2 and 3 | Poliovirus | At 6 weeks, 10 weeks, and 14 weeks (can be given p to 5 years) | Oral |
Pentavalent 1,2 and 3 | Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Hepatitis B and Hib | At 6 weeks, 10 weeks, and 14 weeks | Intra-muscular |
Rotavirus | Rotavirus disease | At 6 weeks, 10 weeks, and 14 weeks | Oral |
IPV | Poliovirus | At 6 weeks and 14 weeks | Intra-dermal |
Measles/MR (1st dose) | Measles and rubella | 9 months to 12 months (can be given up to 5 years) | Sub-cutaneous |
JE-1 | Japanese Encephalitis | 9 months to 12 months | Sub-cutaneous |
Vitamin-A (1st dose) | Given along with MR vaccine to nourish infants | After completion of 9 months | Oral |
DPT (booster 1) | Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus | 16 months to 24 months | Intra-muscular |
Measles/MR (2nd dose) | Measles and rubella | 16 months to 24 months | Sub-cutaneous |
OPV booster | Poliovirus | 16 months to 24 months | Oral |
JE-2 | Japanese Encephalitis | 16 months to 24 months | Sub-cutaneous |
Vitamin A (2nd to 9th dose) | Given along with MR vaccine to nourish infants | 16 months to 18 months (then one dose every six months till the child attains 5 years of age) | Oral |
DPT (booster 2) | Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus | 5 years to 6 years | Intra-muscular |
TT | Tetanus | 10 years and 16 years | Intra-muscular |
Note: Some of the vaccines like JE and rotavirus are only introduced for selected endemic places.
Conclusion
To conclude, the National Immunisation Program aims to safeguard individuals from vaccine-preventable illnesses and reduce the rate of mortality. The program is implemented through a network of healthcare facilities, including public health centres, hospitals, and private clinics to ensure the overall well-being of the country’s population.
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