Child Immunizations

Vaccines are an important part of keeping infants and children healthy. Vaccines work by boasting a person’s immune system that helps protect against infections. Following is the schedule.

AGE VACCINE
At birth or first contact BCG and HepB
At birth up to 2 weeks OPV 0
At 6 weeks OPV 1 and DPT-HepB-Hib 1 and PCV 1
At 10 weeks OPV 2 and DPT-HepB-Hib 2 and PCV 2
At 14 weeks OPV 3 and DPT-HepB-Hib 3 and PCV 3 and IPV
5 months Malaria vaccine 1
6 months Malaria vaccine 2 and Vitamin A
7 months Malaria vaccine 3
At 9 months Measles 1
15-23 months Measles 2
22-27 months Malaria vaccine 4
9years HPV
First contact (15-45 yrs and Pregnant women) TTD 1
At 4 weeks after TT1 TTD 2
At 6 months after TT2 TTD 3
At 1 yr after TT3 TTD 4
At 1 yr after TT 4 TTD 5

Note Measles Rubella 2 can be administered between 15 and 23 months, but we should be encouraging caregivers to get this done at the opening window of 15 months.

Danger signs after vaccine administration (usually occur within minutes to several hours after a vaccine is given)refer immediately to health center or emergency services:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Hives or body rash
  • Swollen mouth or face
  • Fever

Common mild vaccine side effects that do not need referral to health center:

  • Redness and pain at site where vaccine was given
  • Fussiness/irritability
  • Vomiting/Poor appetite
  • Malaise
  • Uncontrollable crying

These side effects should resolve within 1-2 days and do not need any treatment.
If a child has missed a vaccine, has not had any immunizations, or is behind schedule Refer to health facility.

  • Explain to parents and caregivers that vaccines are important and safe
  • Reassure caregivers and parents that multiple vaccine injections are safe
  • Use simple words and avoid technical terms
    • keep your messages simple and clear. Avoid using medical words
    • use words in a local language that caregivers can understand

Vaccine Information for staff:

  • BCG (bacille Calmette-Guerin)- protects the baby from TB infection.
  • OPV (Oral Polio Virus)- protects against polio, a serious illness that can cause paralysis.
  • DPT-HepB-Hib- also called Pentavalent Vaccine, it protects against five major bacteria and viruses:
    • Diphtheria- a bacteria that is spread through the air and can cause sore throat, fever and swelling of neck glands. Serious complications include difficulty breathing, heart or kidney damage and death.
    • Pertussis- a bacteria that is spread through the air and can cause serious illness, especially in children under the age of 1. Symptoms include a “whooping” cough, fever and vomiting.
    • Tetanus- a bacteria found in the soil that causes muscle spasms, tightening of jaw muscles and trouble breathing.
    • Hepatitis B- a virus that is spread through contact with infected blood or body fluids. It can cause severe liver disease and damage.
    • Hib (haemophilus influenza B) - is a bacteria that is spread through the air that causes serious infections in children. Infection with Hib can lead to pneumonia, sepsis and severe swelling of the throat.
  • PCV (Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine)- protects against multiple strains of pneumococcal bacteria that can cause pneumonia, meningitis and other serious infections.
  • Rota (Rotavirus)- a virus common in infants and children that causes watery diarrhea, vomiting and fever.
  • IPV (Inactivated Polio Vaccine)- protects against polio, a serious illness that can cause paralysis.
  • Measles/Rubella vaccine- protects against the virus that causes measles. Measles is highly contagious and spread through the air. Symptoms include high fever and rash. Complications can include dehydration, pneumonia, and brain damage. It also protects against Rubella and Mumps.
  • Vitamin A-Vitamin A is essential for the functioning of the immune system and the healthy growth and development of children. Supplementation protects against risk of visual impairment, illness and death from childhood infections such as measles and those causing diarrhea.

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